Who Makes the Cut - DT
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Who Makes the Cut – DT
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Our eight-day look at who makes the Eagles’ 53-man roster comes to a conclusion today with a look at defensive tackle (Click on the following -- defensive end, offensive line, running back, cornerback, linebacker, wide receivers/tight ends and safeties -- to view the first seven positional reviews).
The Eagles have carried as few as three defensive tackles – when their defensive ends played more in the middle -- but there’s a chance they could take as many as five into this regular season. Four is a more realistic number. A lot could depend on Trevor Laws’s hip, Antonio Dixon’s back and Mike Patterson’s head, and could force the Eagles to carry an extra body on the team.
Teams must pare rosters down to 80 by Tuesday. Final cuts are on Sept. 3.
I’ll have my final cut predictions in Thursday’s Inquirer and online at philly.com.
Likely to keep: 4-5.
Locks: Of the top four tackles on the depth chart, Cullen Jenkins is the only one that has remained healthy throughout the preseason. That may surprise some in Green Bay who believed he had become brittle. But Jenkins has injected some pass rush presence into the interior and should play the majority of snaps when the Eagles are in either the nickel or dime. Dixon appeared poised to take another step toward fulfilling on his promise, and he may still, but he’s been in the tub for weeks now with back spasms. He’s assured a spot on the roster, but his durability bears watching. The Eagles need his wide body in the middle with the extra space derived from the ends splitting out wide. Patterson’s return from a seizure and an arteriovenous malformation diagnosis (AVM) has been remarkable. He’s been given clearance to hold off treatment until after the season, but will be medicated. Patterson’s production has steadily decreased over the last four seasons but his durability is needed.
Bubble: Laws was in the near lock category a few weeks ago, but a hip flexor injury that has kept him out of the lineup for a month has the fourth-year tackle on the bubble. The question with Laws – if he’s out for another week or so – is has he done enough in the past to warrant a pass? Probably not, but a lot will depend on how the Eagles rate Derek Landri and Anthony Hargrove. Landri is a serviceable reserve. He had moments against the Ravens and Browns in the preseason, but was quieted by the Steelers’ offensive line. Hargrove can play some end and has already taken on a leadership role, but he isn't very big (6-foot-3, 287 pounds) for a tackle and the Eagles need space eaters.
Gone: Cedric Thornton has potential, so the Eagles will likely try to sneak him onto their practice squad. Marlon Favorite was released on Friday.
yikes. besides concern at LB, DT just adds to it. gonna need those 3 corners.— P Even- Hargrove to DE, 287 DT too small, cut JP. Laws is Abiamiri lite. Always hurt, cut him too.— tpizza
- Recalling the Shawn Andrews path to surgery began with back spasms that AT Ricky B. "treated" with therapies. At first, Reid stated Andrews did not have a disc problem, which was based on what...Ricky Burkblunder's assessment? Turned out Shawn had two disc herniations which tells me not to have any confidence in AT Ricky B. Should have had a neurosurgeon diagnose Dixon as well as Ryan Harris. What we have here is a failure at RT...right treatment. Very poor job, Athletic Trainer. Good luck on your back surgery today, Mr. Harris.— mccloudmj
- not a very indepth article. did you wake up late this morning and drop this article out with your morning @#$% ????— psualum
Comment removed.- I could have written this from prior media reports. Can't you guys get any inside scoop? Apparently, the coaches don't think Hargrove is too small to play DT. And by the way, they make the decisions, not reporters and certainly not fans. And after reading your prior "Who Makes the Cut" pieces, it appears that you guys can't even get a decent idea of how many slots are available by position. Obviously they can't keep 10 on the OL, 3 at TE, 6 WR, 6 DE, 5 DT, 6 CB and 5 at S. So why can't you talk about the potential numbers while keeping in mind that it is a 53-man roster? A better effort would be appreciated.— Section 730
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- Here's my prediction:
Gone: Philly.com's 'Who Makes the Cut' articles.
-not bob levy— remyy - After Jenkins, cut the bunch and search the waiver wires....they are all drek....— nuggett
- Don't the Eagles have enough money to purchase an MRI machine? This diagnostic tool could have easily detected the problems associated with Ryan Harris's back history. What is the certification of these trainers? I thought these trainers received while education and training on the medical conditions common to the NFL and the practice of sports medicine to include Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Diagnosis as well as exercise science and nutrition. I understand most are ceritified by, and belong to, the PFATS.They need to earn their money by performing the proper pro-active measures to ensure the Eagles get the physically serviceable personnel they need. Now, it appears the entire line has to be shook up (again) wasting precious preparation time to develop cohesion.— essell
- Second only to Matt Gelb -- America's Least-Talented Sportswriter -- Jeff McLane churns out hack piece after hack piece.
It must be that bang-up Penn State education...— Arrogant and Handsome - Wow, empty criticism of Jeff McLane and PSU in one sentence. Arrogant for sure.— armchairGM
- And handsome... — Arrogant and Handsome
- Can you tell me whick DL had a good game against the Steelers? You hold this out as a point against Landri. If the Coaches are smart, and I believe they are, they'll keep Hargrove and Landri. the defense style will eat up players. There will not be a first team DL but a starting DL group. The scheme seems to require moving players in and out to keep fresh people on the field. As for needing "space eaters", fatties don't last long. They tend to break down fast.— Dennis Downey
