Who makes the cut: Defensive tackles
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Who makes the cut: Defensive tackles
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles will encounter tough decisions when determining their 53-man roster. During the next two weeks, The Inquirer's Eagles beat writers will try our best to predict who stays and who goes.
Wed, Aug. 15: Offensive line
Thur., Aug. 16: Defensive tackles
Fri., Aug. 17: Cornerbacks
Mon., Aug. 20: Running backs
Tues., Aug. 21: Wide receivers / tight ends
Wed., Aug. 22: Linebackers
Thur., Aug. 23: Safeties
Fri., Aug. 24: Quarterbacks / Specialists
Mon., Aug. 27: Defensive ends
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
LIKELY TO KEEP: 4-5
WHO STAYS: Cullen Jenkins, Derek Landri, Fletcher Cox, Antonio Dixon, Cedric Thornton; Mike Patterson (PUP)
WHO GOES: Frank Trotter, Ollie Ogbu
The defensive line will likely prompt the most difficult decisions for the Eagles because of the depth at both tackle and end. The benefit that some of the Eagles’ defensive tackles have – specifically Jenkins and Cox – is they can bounce outside and play end, particularly on running downs.
Because of that and the talent the Eagles possess at the position, look for them to keep five defensive tackles. That does not even include Patterson, a starter since 2005 who is expected to begin the season the physically-unable-to-perform list.
The Eagles have Jenkins and Landri as starters, but Cox should be considered in that group as well. The Eagles’ first-round pick, Cox brings a rare combination of size and athleticism to the position. He’ll undoubtedly play a major role with the defensive line.
Dixon is not a prototypical Jim Washburn defensive tackle. He’s big (listed at 322 pounds) and slow, but the Eagles can use a space-eating tackle to help on running downs. Thornton is not a household name, but he’s an intriguing prospect that piques Washburn’s interest. The Eagles kept him from going to another team last season even while on practice squad by paying him the league minimum salary for roster players, which was well above the practice squad salary. However, the Eagles will not be able to hide him on practice squad this season, and Thornton's play and potential merits a roster spot.
Ogbu would make for a strong practice squad candidate this season. Trotter is in that mix, too.
The potential always exists that the Eagles could trade one of these defensive tackles, but there would make more sense to deal one of their ends, considering the surplus at that spot and the fact that they have tackles who could bounce over to end.
The Eagles would also have a decision to make on Patterson if he’s able to return from brain surgery this season. Considering there is no timetable yet for Patterson, though, the PUP list continues to give him and the team time.
I think Trotter's got a chance. He did well against Cleveland and lined up as the LT on the O line a few times and looked much better than Bell.— HeelYes- All will revolve around the O-line, it will control VICk and the rest of the offense. Any body remember that Bobby APRIL WAS A GENIUS. AND IT IS NEVER MENTIONED THAT THE GROUP IS AWFUL— JIM IAQUINTO
- I really see Thornton and cox being the future of this team at d tackle. Both are still a work in progress but can be beast in the middle. They would be crazy to let of such a young promising talent in thornton— low1016
- Dixon likley stays because of his mass...gotta have at least one wide guy on the line,right.Bringing back Landri was a smart move and Howie's lucky he was still there...how this guy's still under the radar is beyond me...all he does is make plays whenever he's in the rotation.Throw in Thornton who's been great all camp and Cox and the push up the middle will not be a problem this year.Huge depth on the D. line.Tapp,Babin or Graham will be traded...yes,I said Babin.— greenbloodVAEagle
- Eagles should go with 4 DTs,(with both Ogbu and Trotter on the practice squad), saving an extra spot for Tapp, who appears to me the odd man out at DE, where the Birds are stacked...Dixon doesn't make it, nor does he deserve to...Mike Patterson's days are more or less done in the NFL.— bearsfriend
- the eagles bettere keep dixon he is their best run stopper.landri is real good but we need to keep both of them.dixon reminds of hollis thomas,not always in the best shape but always around the ball.just because he doesnt look like the typical eagle dl dont discount him.— swgaston49
- This wasn't a real hard position to figure out who stays. I am waiting to see the wide receiver cut article.— watsonmr
- The Steelers have a formula the Eagles will see often. Also used by 49ers, Bills last season with success. Our defense does not tackle well enough to get off the field on 3rd down. So taking smaller chunks on the Eagles and keeping the offense off the field. That serves another purpose in getting Mike Vick so unsettled that he has to make every play a big play, loses his pocket presence and takes unnecessary risk. Negating the value of McCoy and the pieces around him. This is what we need to overcome to be successful.— oldBird
- Steelers did that to us in the preseason game, but we tried to do the same thing back. Inch up the field, control the clock. We did terrible though lol.
I think we could really be a dynamic team if we try inching up the field on some drives, and take long shots down the field on other drives. Switch it up, be less predictable.— colahead420 - The Steelers have a formula the Eagles will see often. Also used by 49ers, Bills last season with success. Our defense does not tackle well enough to get off the field on 3rd down. So taking smaller chunks on the Eagles and keeping the offense off the field. That serves another purpose in getting Mike Vick so unsettled that he has to make every play a big play, loses his pocket presence and takes unnecessary risk. Negating the value of McCoy and the pieces around him. This is what we need to overcome to be successful.— oldBird
- The only chance this D team has is getting to the QB. It's built on that otherwise once they get past the D line it's gash time against those midget LB's and poor tackling DB's. Not to mention their is no Hard hitting safety back there unless it's a fellow Eagle, friendly fire!— sammydelphia
- Lol @ friendly fire! There have been way to many Eagles running into each other since Juan took over. And it's funny how the offense and defense both basically live and die by the big play. Sacks and long passing plays are required to get the defense off the field and allow the offense to score. Problem is they have no plan B when things don't go to plan which is more often than not these days.
- unlike the O line article, i think this one is better. i hope it comes out as they predict, b/c its what i would do, but this is the team that cut landri and hargrove last year to keep thorton, who wasn't ready to play yet, and later they realized this mistake and brought landri back, so its impossible to predict them.— Mr.Sinatra
>>>>beegal99 I feel the same... the Eagles let Mike Patterson go much like they did Westbrook. Cedric Thornton looked good against Pitts 2nd and 3 teams can he step up against the first teamers. I just love the competition throughout the team at all positions.- Dixon is great to have around, with his size, but I also think his conditioning problems could spell the end of his time in Philly.— armchairGM
- I am predicting that the Eagles will release Patterson after he comes off the PUP list, as a favor to him. The dude needs to sit out a season and get himself right.— beegal99
- Couldn't they just put him on IR? — colahead420
- Stop with the dixon talk. OC/QB's will check to a pass when he is in the game, thus eliminating his value. Just like they would pass against Trott.— xlGmanlx
- i agree dixon should of know better than to come in to champ big as a frigh,wash was not happy at all.well we see what happens.
— philly88hcs - From some other stuff I read, I think Washburn likes Thornton, and is less happy with Dixon, partially because he cam into camp as big as a house. I think talent and mobility should beat out fat and unmotivated. I am sure some people will now post how all these guys are too small. "Bigger is always better" is a bogus argument, but one easily grasped by a simple mind.— Paul SoTX
