Reid: Roster Spots Are Open
One of the byproducts of so much youth and so much change on the Eagles this year is that the bottom of the roster is less settled going into Thursday's final preseason game against the Jets than it might have been other years.
Reid: Roster Spots Are Open
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
One of the byproducts of so much youth and so much change on the Eagles this year is that the bottom of the roster is less settled going into Thursday's final preseason game against the Jets than it might have been other years.
Eagles coach Andy Reid emphasized that "there are some spots -- I'm telling you, there are spots," that will be determined by the final preseason game, and presumably by who gets cut elsewhere this weekend, when teams whittle the rosters from 75 to 53. "There's a couple different spots, I'm not going to get into those. I think it's important that all the guys have an opportunity to play, play like they have an opportunity to make this football team. In essence, they do."
"You want to make sure you're right," Reid said, when asked about the importance of the preseason finale in these calculations.
Most of the players the coaches will be deciding on, they've been watching practice and play for more than a month now. That's not the case for everyone, though. Jorrick Calvin practiced with the Birds for the first time today after arriving in a Monday trade with Arizona, the teams swapping sixth-round rookies, running back Charles Scott going to the Cardinals. Calvin is a corner and return man whom the Eagles thought highly enough of to bring in for a predraft visit last spring. Reid indicated Calvin will have a chance to return kicks and/or punts against the Jets.
Other guys on the fringe might not have arrived just this week, but perhaps have been slowed by injury -- such as running back J.J. Arrington, acquired back on July 30 from Denver. Arrington, bothered by a foot/ankle problem, and coming off microfracture surgery that kept him out of the league in 2009, hasn't gotten a lot of reps in practice or in games. This week of practice -- in which the normal starters get the fewest reps, leading up to a game they won't play in at all -- and this game are Arrington's last, best chance to make an impression.
"Show 'em my burst, blocking and stuff, show 'em that I'm picking up the playbook pretty well -- of course it's not going to be great, because I haven't been here that long, but it's coming together," Arrington said. He was a second-round pick of Arizona in 2005 who now finds himself clinging to an outside chance at making a roster.
Asked if he thought the Eagles had seen enough of what he can do so far to make a fair evaluation of him, Arrington said, "honestly, probably not.. Not right now. That's what this week is for."
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Reid said Michael Vick will play the first half against the Jets and Mike Kafka will play the second half, perhaps their last extended game action for quite a while. Reid said rookie DE Ricky Sapp might need knee surgery.
He said DeSean Jackson is "a little swollen and sore" after having his wisdom teeth removed, but "his back is feeling a little bit better, though."
Reid said center Jamaal Jackson's knee "didn't swell, it's not sore, so he's feeling pretty good," after a full practice, with contact, on Monday. Jackson was on the field today for a less demanding workout. "He's sore, from his body being hit so much yesterday, but the actual knee is well, and he feels strong," Reid said.
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and please not Chad Hall, the mascot roster spot is already taken by swoop.— dragoon6- Llama - he's a bust. That's why he fell so far in the draft. Paul Sotx's been in love with this guy from day one, but i'm pretty sure its a geography thing with him. They changed his position multiple times - never a good sign (see harris, macho). Give the 53rd spot to Elderic "tiger" buckley or Washington, anyone who can play a few positions and special teams.— dragoon6
- Sapp is going to be a good player. He has very good size. Something the Eagles are short on. Get rid of Hanson.— eagleheart
- Let's see how long it takes before Reid realizes his pass only Offense and a shaky Oline is a great way to get his new QB seriously injured.His only hope is to step up the run game to take the pressure off. But will he listen ??? NOOOOO . My man chubby.— MJPD345
- Baskett, Not so Macho Harris, Hanson, and Andrews. Don't care who takes their backup roles, this could only = addition by subtraction
- Ok, I thought the "Jerome McDougle Spot" was a toss up between Mike Bell and Daryl Tapp, BUT Stacey Andrews has made a late surge. So both Bell and Tapp might both get cut.— jimmyj
- The key with Calvin is punt return. They can't risk DJax in that role now that he is a little banged up. He can make the team if he shows up in this game. How many corners can you keep. Six is a stretch. Samuel, Hobbs, Hanson, Patterson and Lindley seem like locks. Tough one to predict.— Denali
Comment removed.- Dragon...Are you really calling a 5th round draft choice a BUST already...man that's rough. How many 5th rounders are going to make NFL rosters in their rookie year??? I'm going to guess maybe under 10%...I'd rather have him stashed on IR than Practice Squad, guys on the PS can always be signed away... I think you maybe thinking about Darryl Tapp...who we acquired in a trade with the Seahawks...he's set to back Trent Cole at RDE— TheLlama
- Does it really matter WHO gets the last few spots? There is NOBODY that far down on the roster that will enable this team to have a better year than 8-8, 9-7 maybe. Unless there is a sudden, TREMENDOUS, up-surge in the O-Line's effectiveness.....THAT is where we will be. Throw in a "rookie" QB, only ONE RB that can actually block (effectively that is!)a blitzing linebacker and a second tight end in his rookie year not used to blocking AT ALL(!)....and you see the problems on Offense. The defense looks improved from last year, with Graham worth that high-pick status it seems like, and the new guy Allen will be a help in the D-Backfield. And the return of Stu Bradley will help the defense as a whole, and the front 7 in particular. The D-backfield needs a couple more GOOD players to be as effective as needed, but that is the biggest weakspot (among FEW) on "D". Kickoff and punt coverage seems WORSE than last year, and that is peculier, because I thought Bobby April was gonna have some killer Special Teams this year. We've got a lot of new, young, fresh blood on the "teams" this year...hope it's just a matter of finding the right guy for the right spot.— TBear
How is Sapp going on IR any kind of a bad thing? He hasn't done enough to make the team, but another year in the system could help him. He is a prime prospect to play the SAM when he understands the scheme. I think Baskett and Washington will both make the team. I am looking forward to these bubble guys getting extended opportunities in this last exhibition. I wonder if they can keep Mallett off the roster if he runs wild again, like he did the first game.- 4 and 12, here we come!— JBinPA
- Chubby, I just can't listen to you anymore. I'm sorry. I'm sure it's me, but I just can't take you anymore. Leave the keys, and just go.— mccloudmj
- Sapp is a fricken rookie they wont release him . He will be on the IR and come in next year 100 % healthy .— kdubs215
- We need Kendra on the roster. Washington is the better player, but Hank's wife is way hotter. The hotter wife wins the spot always!!— piercit
- Yep, Sapp to IR. Either because he's a bust or they think a year of seasoning might make him a decent linebacker.— tacklinjoe
- Ricky Sapp may need knee surgery? How bout "Reid is trying to stash him on IR for the year, because cutting this bust outright would be admitting a mistake?"— dragoon6
- WASHINGTON OVER HANK....NAAHHH— BIGGZ043
- WASHINGTON OVER HANK....NAAHHH— BIGGZ043
- Comment removed.
