GLECKO WILL MAKE TEAM
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
GLECKO WILL MAKE TEAM
Bob Brookover
Jim Johnson provided some stunning news this morning at the NovaCare Complex.
"A guy by the name of Glecko" is going to be the Eagles' fourth defensive tackle, the defensive coordinator said before practice.
Scour the roster all you want, you won't find a guy by the name of Glecko, but we're pretty sure that Johnson just hasn't learned how to properly pronounce veteran defensive tackle Dan Klecko's name yet. That doesn't mean Klecko hasn't caught the defensive coordinator's eye.
"He looks pretty good to me," Johnson said. "He had a good game the other night and he's had a great camp. He's got such great quickness and good football sense and he loves to play. He's a high-motor guy."
Klecko, a sixth-year veteran from Temple whose father Joe was a four-time Pro Bowler with the New York Jets, wasn't the least bit concerned about Johnson's mispronunciation of his name.
"Jim can call me whatever he wants," Klecko said. "He's the boss. I'm not going to call him out on it."
Klecko and rookie Trevor Laws will open the season as the backup defensive tackles behind Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson, but that still leaves Johnson and the coaching staff with some difficult decisions to be made at defensive end before Saturday's final cut.
Seven defensive ends -- Trent Cole, Juqua Parker, Victor Abiamiri, Darren Howard, Bryan Smith, Chris Clemons and Jerome McDougle -- remain on the roster and it's possible they could keep six of them.
CURTIS SPEAKS. Receiver Kevin Curtis made his first appearance in the locker room this morning since undergoing surgery Thursday to repair a sports hernia. He said he is confined to walking in the embryonic stages of his rehab from the surgery and there's no set timetable for his return.
Dr. William Meyers, who performed the surgery, told Curtis he should not compare his surgery or recovery time to other players who have been through the same or similar procedures.
"Each injury is different," Curtis said. "They're not all exactly the same. There are different time frames, so I'm not trying to compare myself to other injuries. I'm going by how I feel and I'm going to get back as soon as possible."
Tough choice at DE. It all hinges on what you think Abiamiri's status is. If he is likely to be back in a couple of weeks, I think they will cut McDougle. Personally, I would try to put Smith on the practice squad.— Bama- Sucks its a numbers game, but McDougle has had an awesome camp and preseason, so getting rid of him would be tough, esp. because it looks like he is playing to potential.— Flyers2001
- McD finally caught a break. Howard could not catch a cold.— mick314
- I sure hope they keep McDougle. If they cut him, he will go someplace else and be a star, and that would really be a shame after all they've gone through with him.— kingsolomonsmind
- I heard Clemons is the man out.... $4mm bonus just wasted?!?— Bones
- abimari on pup list gives eagles 6 weeks to make a decision. too light smith on pratice squad all the others make team for at least six weeks. they could trade someone to the giants for a receiver.— JACK V
- Make Howard the man out. He has collected more paychecks than sacks and solo tackles.— jH
- Eskin was just talkin about Clemons, says no way they cut some1 they haven't seen play yet...— Bones
- Eskin knows all, huh? Thanks Bones.— tjc
- McDougle is playing well, but he's not going to be a star anywhere. That said, Abiamari on the PUP list sounds about right, then they can keep the other 6.
- Abiamiri should go on the pup list. Smith is too light to play defensive end but since he's a draft choice will go to the pratice squad. McDougle has had the best preseason of them all. The team will probably pick up a "cut" to add to roster until Abiamiri comes back in six weeks. All the others will make the roster. let's hope Cole stays healthy.— JACK V
- Reid is a loyal guy so I really don't see him cutting McDougle. Howard is a versatile guy, able to to play multiple positions so i don't see them cutting him either. I think Smith goes on the practice squad which leaves Clemons. Can you cut him even though he hasn't been on the field? Maybe, but I don't know. Tough decisions. Can they find a way to keep all of them and maybe be short at a different position?— bpiont
- Spaudauro's dream come true. Klecko "has a motor that never stops" and "he brings it on every play" and "plays each snap like its last". Now, if only Gasperson can make it.. Spauds will be really stoked.— shoeshineboy
- Players can not go on the PUP list unless they have an injury from the previous season or from the off season. Once they report to training camp healthy they can either be on the roster or IR if they get hurt. So Abimiri can not go on the PUP— mcat13
If they cut McDougle, he's going to be starting for the Giants and Steve Spagnuolo's defense by week 1. McDougle knows Spagnuolo's defense inside out and backwards. And then he'll be chasing McNabb twice a year. Bad idea. McDougle's finally healthy...give him one more chance.
