Who makes the cut: safeties
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Who makes the cut: safeties
Jonathan Tamari
Our look at the Eagles’ roster battles goes to safety today. (We’ve previously examined defensive end, offensive line, running back, cornerback, linebacker and wide receivers/tight ends).
The Eagles have used second round picks on safeties each of the past two years, but there’s a chance neither of those players will be starting on opening day. Instead, two seventh-rounders have shots at the top jobs. All four could make the 53-man roster, though.
Teams must trim rosters down to 80 by Tuesday. Final cuts are on Sept. 3.
Likely to keep: 4-5
Locks: Nate Allen has looked a step slow as he returns from a torn patella tendon and the knee is still causing pain. Last year’s starter and number two pick will still be on the team, but it's not clear if he'll be starting. Kurt Coleman is smart and tough and it has shown in training camp and the preseason. He's not great in a sprint, but Coleman can anticipate plays and is a willing tackler. Jaiquawn Jarrett was supposed to be the big hitter, but he hasn’t really challenged Coleman for the starting job. Jarrad Page, meanwhile, has emerged as a competitor for the starting slot opposite Coleman. Two weeks ago he would have been on the roster bubble, but with Allen slowed, the Eagles need insurance and Page provides it. He hasn’t been a regular starter since 2008 with the Chiefs, but he's in the mix here. The Eagles will have to keep him around in case Allen’s knee continues to be a problem.
Bubble: Colt Anderson was a stand out on special teams last year, but if the Eagles give Page the starting job that would mean four safeties on the roster. Five could be too many – last year Anderson was the fourth. Anderson's kick off coverage is devalued a bit with the increase in touchbacks, but he also covers punts and blocks on kick and punt returns. He has to hope that makes him valuable enough to keep.
Gone: Jamar Adams is stuck at the back of the pack here. Perhaps he can win another year on the practice squad. Marlin Jackson. Another year another injury. Look for either an injury settlement or for Jackson to wind up on the IR.
Didn't really mention Page's surprisingly good play this preseason. Also, you have that the Eagles need to have the roster down to 80 by Tuesday. That was this past Tuesday and the roster presently stands at 80.— psualum- Wrong. Roster stands at 86, with cut to 80 by this coming Tuesday. — drjimmy451
- Page and Coleman should be no brainers here.— gordon7
- I hope Allen can come back to his original form. He has looked awful so far, again, I hope it is due to his injury.— yourdaddy!
- Coleman is a keeper. Page an intelligent savvy pro and has earned the right to start. Allen on PUP not out of the realm of possibility here if another seasoned safety becomes available. With the corners we have safety needs to be consistently solid.— oldBird
- uhh Ray Rhodes drafted Brian Dawkins. Andy Reid drafted Quentin Demps, Macho Harris, and Nate Allen. uh yea.— CharlieGarner25
- OK, we get it Charlie. Rhodes drafted Dawkins. One of only two good things he did while he was here.
You made your point, now go away. You sound like a broken record.— phillychaos - The safeties are the least of the Eagles problems. Page is the Eagles best safety right now. Jarrett shouldn't be handed the starting job. I'm more concerned about the DT positions. The run defense really needs Dixon back.— MrMiles1
- I wouldn't say Page is Eagles best Safety because Coleman is clearly the Eagles best Safety and so far has the most tackles. Right now we need to fix our O line which A R already did by moving Herreman to the RT. and Mathas on LG. I sure hope that move helps.
A R also need to move Cheney back to MLB and move Matthews to OLB.— EaglesNation - Personally, I'm glad Dawkins flipped off the birds (pun intended) as it was a dumb, dumb move to let him go. Hey, look on the bright side, according to every Eagles front office worker with a say, the claim is "they got there guy in Danny Watkins." Of course you did, wink wink, nod nod. Eagles are there own worst enemy under Reid, which means a super bowl can never be won when you beat yourself before the other team gets their chance...The more things change, the more it stays the same. That's right, pre-season and he doesn't get a chance....DEAL WITH IT.— Voytas
- 2 second round picks and neither can start?— Ssteve115
- Charlie "Hindsight" Garner— tpizza
- lol, that was good actually. good job tpizza. unfortunately I say what I say BEFORE it happens.— CharlieGarner25
- Dawkins went for a big payday in Denver, and he's not anywhere near the player he used to be. Letting him walk was the right move. You can't live in the past.— p-diddy
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