Danny Watkins may have lost job
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Danny Watkins may have lost job
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Andy Reid said that guard Danny Watkins, who has a chronic ankle injury, would struggle to play Monday against the Saints.
With Watkins questionable, Dennis Kelly could get his second straight start at right guard. Reid said the rookie did a "respectable job" on Sunday against the Falcons. With Watkins' inconsistencies this season, it's fair to question whether he'll retain his starting job even when he returns.
“Yeah, we’ll see," Reid said. "I want to see how he feels once he gets in there [and] we’ll take it from there.”
Kelly said he's up for the challenge.
“Hopefully, if I keep playing at a high level, if they give me the spot, hopefully, I can run with it,” he said.
Kelly, a fifth-round draft pick, was asked if he had been given any indication from coaches that the job was there for the taking.
“Some players have talked about it, just saying, ‘If you’re in there, you’re in there for a reason,’” Kelly said. “Obviously, Danny’s hurt, but there were other options they could have put in. They are telling me to approach it like you can take it, so that’s what I’m doing."
Watkins' chronic ankle came out of the nowhere. Reid said last week that he knew about it as far back as the draft. He said the 2011 first round draft pick re-injured it two weeks ago against the Lions and then again in practice last week.
“He’s got a bit of a component of a high ankle [sprain] and it’s got a bit of a component of a low ankle," Reid said. "Anything that he does lateral hurts him.”
Reid, who was asked if Watkins could be sidelined long-term, said that would assess his progress daily.
"This will pass here," Reid said. "It’s not where it’s going to be career-ending or anything.”
The Watkins' draft pick remains a questionable one. When the Eagles selected him 26th overall, he had only played four years of football after picking it up at the age of 22. He didn't start as a rookie until the fifth game, but seemed to take steps forward by the end of last season.
He's had some low moments this season, especially in pass protection. Watkins hasn't been the only linemen to struggle. The whole unit has been a liability with the injuries to left tackle Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce.
OTHER INJURIES
-- Cullen Jenkins has a hyperextended knee and won't practice on Thursday. The defensive tackle said that he expected to play Monday.
-- Reid said that defensive tackle Mike Patterson would practice with the first team and that there was a chance he could play against the Saints. The Eagles have until Nov. 13 to decided whether to activate Patterson or place him on season-ending Injured Reserve.
-- Wide receiver Mardy Gilyard (hamstring) won't practice either. Reid said that Damaris Johnson, who hasn't dressed the last two weeks, will be active Monday and return punts with Gilyard injured.
Hmmm, the last couple drafts almost seem like they've been run by an intern who was promoted to GM- bust— pr0f3ss0r
- Its nice to see Andy try and put his playees in a better position to win. (sarcasm) It is even better to see Andy put himself in a perfect position to get fired. Anyone on board for John Gruden??— gbreen88
- FFAR has proved time and time again that he has NO idea how and who to draft. The CPA certainly doesn't know and Lurie is a movie producer, so we know he doesn't know. Isn't it time for a change???— momzer1812
- "Square peg in round hole" ... alas, Watkins is another example of Reid et al, trying to be "outsmart" the rest of the league come draft day. Watkins inexperience and failure to grasp blocking schemes in a timely way (along with the ankle!) has shown him to, indeed, be a bust. Not his fault. He was put in a position to fail.
After far too many "reaches" in previous drafts, the 2012 one projects to be (finally!) a decent one. For Reid though, it will prove too little too late.
With Reid finally gone at the end of this seaon I eagerly look forward to a fresh start in 2013. In fact it really can't come soon enough.— FishFryFrank - Please stop calling him the "100 million" player/bust/whatever.... Vick will never see the total amount of that deal. He is overpaid...yes...but will not get anywhere close to the 100 million. I would just like for the guy to throw the damn ball instead of running around like an idiot. Make one read, then run north/south and move the chains. Any other QB would have half he sacks by just throwing the ball on time or throwing it away to avoid the sack.— cdedrick05
- There are plenty of things to criticize about the Eagles' drafts under Reid and Roseman but the comments here about Watkins are very ill-informed. Watkins was projected by most of the talking heads and web sites as a "late first, early second". Mike Mayock - who I think generally does a pretty good job evaluating talent - projected Watkins as going to Kansas City with the 21st pick of the draft. Watkins is physically talented but seems challenged by picking up the complexities of blocking schemes and adjustments - hardly a surprise for someone who only started playing football in college. He may indeed turn out to be a bust but that doesn't mean he was a bad pick. In contrast, the decision to make Vick the starting QB was delusional, and the decision to stick with him now will ultimately cost Reid his job at the end of the season.— joephilly
- I disagree that Danny Watkins is a bust by any stretch. Jeff you are a classless individual and writer. Last year Watkins was making great strides and same offensive line was one of the best in the league WITH WATKINS ON IT!!! Now we have a QB that is no longer able to get it done. The holding of the ball by Vick and bad decision making is obvious even to someone like you. Go look at www.phillymag.com with Sheil & Tim McManus. Look at their weekly "ALL 22" SEQUENCE OF PICTURES SHOWING JUST HOW BAD VICK IS. VICK HAD 2 OR 3 TD's last week staring at him but failed miserably. If Watkins went to New England he would be a pro bowl alternate. Additionally since the offensive line is so bad this year then signing Herremanns & Mathis was a huge mistake along with a real mistake in Bell. Jeff you are a cheap shot artist! Fans go to Birds/24/7 www.phillymag.com & get a real understanding of what is going on.— Alpha58
- watkins lost his job, now so should andy reid.— Ryan
- He is not a bust, he came on strong last year, and after 3-4 games this year, he was grading out very well, injury set him back. Once he is healthy, and back in there, he will be fine. Maybe not an All Pro, but a good starter for years to come.— camasbud
- Watkins needs another year and if he can't start maybe a solid back-up guard and maybe center ? Let's not write him off yet. Maybe we found a RG and it is a win all the way around.
— oldBird - "This will pass here," Reid said. "It’s not where it’s going to be career-ending or anything.”- What career?
— outta work - Here we go again.— bm2957
- OH,NO!! Danny can't play!
There goes our Super Bowl chances!— Eaglejay - I've been waiting for this for 14 years. I am savoring his downfall.— woody7236
