Eagles cut 19, including Hanson
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles cut 19, including Hanson
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles announced that they have released 19 players to get their roster down to 56. They have until 9 p.m. today to cut three more players to get to the league-mandated number of 53.
The following players were told of their release today:
Cornerback Joselio Hanson, safety O.J. Atogwe, linebacker Keenan Clayton, wide receiver Chad Hall, wide receiver Marvin McNutt, center/guard Steve Vallos, wide receiver Mardy Gilyard, safety Phillip Thomas, guard Brandon Washington, tight end Brett Brackett, linebacker Ryan Rau, fullback Emil Igwenagu, tight end Chase Ford, defensive tackle Frank Trotter, defensive end Monte Taylor, defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu, linebacker Adrian Moten, tackle D.J. Jones and defensive tackle Landon Cohen.
Hanson' release means that rookie Brandon Boykin has won the first team nickel cornerback spot. With Vallos gone, Julian Vandervelde and Dallas Reynolds will be the Eagles' backup interior linemen -- for now. Stanely Havili, as expected, will be the Eagles fullback with Emil Igwenagu no longer in the picture.
Atogwe appeared to have a spot locked up, but he battled a hamstring injury and did not make the cut. Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett appears to have lasted.
Several young players could wind up on the practice squad if they clear waivers: McNutt, Thomas, Washington, Brackett, Rau, Ford and Taylor are the most likely candidates. McNutt and Washington were drafted in the sixth round of this year's draft.
There are still a number of players that should not breath easy. Defensive end Darryl Tapp, defensive tackle Antonio Dixon and either quarterback -- Trent Edwards or Mike Kafka -- could be released or traded today.
FROM EARLIER:
The Eagles are expected to release cornerback Joselio Hanson, according to two NFL sources.
Adam Caplan of the sidelineview.com first reported that the Eagles were going to part with their long-time slot corner.
Hanson played with the first team nickel defense through all of the preseason, but rookie Brandon Boykin had narrowed the gap in the competition, Eagles coach Andy Reid recently said.
The 31-year-old Hanson was released last season as the Eagles trimmed their roster to 53 only to be brought back a few days later at a lower salary. It does not appear that the Eagles plan to take the same course this year. Boykin was drafted to be the slot cornerback and now the job is his.
Hanson's release could be good news for Brandon Hughes, who is on the roster bubble. Hughes is more versatile that Hanson because he can play on the outside and on special teams.
The Eagles have until 9 p.m. tonight to trim their roster to 53.
They also waived wide receivers Chad Hall and Mardy Gilyard, according to league sources. Hall still has practice squad eligibility and could return to the Eagles in that capacity. Hall lost some of his uniqueness when undrafted rookie Damaris Johnson came aboard. Gilyard is a vested veteran.
The Eagles also released tight end Brett Brackett. The former Penn State product was a long shot to make the team. Brackett, who spent part of last year on the Eagles' practice squad, could return in that role.
In addition, the Eagles released linebacker Keenan Clayton and tight end Chase Ford. Clayton, a 2010 fourth-round pick, was in competition for the final linebacker spot. Ford, an undrafted player, is eligible for the practice squad.
More cuts are coming.
Follow Jeff McLane and Zach Berman on Twitter for all the latest Eagles roster updates.
Only the Republican Party will cause more job losses today than the NFL, which not surprisingly is run by Republicans. With America suffering thanks to the Bush economy, they should have done their part and expanded their rosters to 60 help keep people working.— eldiablodelsol2009- It's AR-annoying to hear year after year that "they've invested a draft choice in him". When a better investment comes along, you move to grab it. When you make a mistake, you divorce it: McNutt out, Kafka out.— mccloudmj
- I guarantee there is not a team in the NFL dumb enough to trade anything for Mike Kafka - and yes that includes the Raiders. There are a decent amount of scrub QBs and elevating Kafka to a status above them is an afront to all the scrubs.
It doesn't really matter. This team has a shaky QB situation, unsettled offensive line, an unproven defense and now a kicker that looks like he's go the yips. 9-7 is it unless Juan/Todd pull a rabbit out of their hat and this is a top 5 defense.— guyguy4 - Regardless of the Eagles season, you know what this sports page needs more of? More political commentary from whiny, disgruntled imbeciles.— guyguy4
- One look at the quality of players they're cutting compared to recent years tells you how loaded this team really is. Gilyard, Clayton and Hall will be claimed by other teams within 48 hours...and some of the tougher cuts (Dixon, Tapp, Rolle, Otogwe?) are yet to come. Whichever QB loses the #3 battle will find a job. Whichever punter loses that battle will get picked up.— jmk1512
- Releasing Hanson is a mistake. The guy does a great job. Plays a great slot corner. Very solid tackler. I like Boykin too. But one more year of Hanson would have been wise. And please tell me why the team is cutting McBriar and keeping Henry. Henry was one of the five worst punters in the NFL. McBriar is one of the ten best. All because he can't hold for kicks, a job that should be done by the backup QB. And watch how they keep Jarrett. Only because they reached and drafted the guy in the second round, when he would have been drafted in the 4th or 5th. And watch how they somehow keep Kafka as well, even though it is clear that Edwards would be extremely valuable as a backup. I would feel very comfortable with Foles and Edwards as backups, given Vick's injury history. If Foles is exposed as a rookie, at least Edwards is a solid veteran to win a game or two if Vick is injured. I know Kafka is not good, and will never be a solid backup QB.— arrowamy
- McBriar had a bad hold on Henery's missed field goal, he punted worse (Henry had 4 punts inside the 20) and Henry's avg on punts that weren't close to the endzone was better than McBriars. 42.5 vs 41.8. McBriar is coming off an injury in his planting foot and he's 10 years older... obvious. — colahead420
- Cautiously optimistic for this season. I can't wait for it to start and see how this team actually stacks up. Hopefully we will stay as healthy as we can and crack double digit wins. GO BIRDS!— kozykoz26
- Boykin will make us forget Hanson by game 2. Good move.
— RealizticFan - Birds are McNutts to keep Marvin over Mardy— dragoon6
- I'd rather have Gilyard than Avant, and Hanson rather than DRC.— NorthPhillyTechie
- you're on crack — colahead420
- Chad Hall deserves a spot on this roster. Someone will pick him up quickly and he will succeed. Everyone else I'm ok with.— mcghee19
- you are not serious. every time Hall put on an Eagles jersey he was committing fraud. he should go back to refueling jets or whatever his life's work was before his NFL fantasy camp. — coloradoeagle
