Danny Watkins may have lost job
Andy Reid said that guard Danny Watkins, who has a chronic ankle injury, would struggle to play Monday against the Saints.
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.
Your the 26th overall college player taken in the draft to play in the NFL. Your fire fighting buddies are on hand with you to celebrate. You receive the customary endorsements and perks. Life is grand! You get a BRAND new full size pickup, just have to fill the tank....Danny Watkins returns the pickup truck stating "I need a small car that does good on gas" (true story by the way). Next time we see Danny, he is driving teammates around in his own FIRETRUCK. Bought and paid for by Watkins. Danny Watkins does not want to play football, he wants to play fireman. Major misfire on the eagles pre-draft intel on this guy. There is more but since I do not want to vomit you can find pictures of Danny in a Phila FF uniform yourself. Firefighting appears to catch Danny's fancy more than playing football.....not what your looking for in a No1 pick. He has his $$$ and football is a footnote for Watkins.— EyesON- I thought the 2010 draft was the worst draft in my lifetime, but I certainly couldn't argue too strenuously against the case for the 2011 draft holding that honor. How does Howie still have a job?— Only in Philly...
With the 23rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft: the Philadelphia Eagles select 53 year old Danny Watkins, 6 spots ahead of 21 year old Wisconsin offensive Tackle Gabe Carimi, Outland Trophy winner, unanimous All-American, and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.
They then move Heremans outside to tackle to make room for Watkins. The rest is history.
— EmanuelP- For those of you who are like me and appreciate the beauty of a well-designed implosion, this is going to be a classic. The only problems are the draft, time management, play calling, team desire and effort, overrated players, and coaching. On a positive note, I do believe they have $46 in cap space and tickets will be cheap on StubHub very soon.— rwolffd12
- This whole chronic injury thing smells funny to me... Though he would never admit it, I suspect Reid feels similar to how I do as a fan about this team. I'm gonna be there every Sunday to support them, but honestly I am just tired and want it to be over.— hillbillybirdsfan
- YES!!!!!— allycat1968
