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.
uh, yea and Reid used a first round pick on trevor laws who has done almost nothing, especially for a first round pick , used a third on BRYAN SMITH ?? who did NOTHING. uhh abiamiri ? second ROUND PICK and NOTHING. not mention jeromre mcdougle, daniel t'eo, and countless other piles of garbage DE's hes drafted. pathetic. Reid is so over-rated by the national media, always picked to go to the SB etc., guess what hes NEVER going to win a SB, because hes NOT THAT GREAT. hes decent, but not great. and will never be a SB winning coach. NEVER.— CharlieGarner25
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- "first rounders are easiest part of draft..." haha yeah thats why none of them are busts ever, right? and you guys collectively do not know what you are talking about. Name a coach in Eagles history who has a better draft record. And for every mcdougle, bryan smith, trevor laws, there is a corey simon, mcnabb, westbrook, cole, celek...you all clearly forgot what it was like BEFORE andy reid started drafting. Mike Mamula, Jon Harris, Leonard Renfro, Siran Stacy, Antone Davis, Bernard Williams, Kevin Allen, Lester Holmes, Kenny Jackson...ahh you guys are the dumbest people alive. You spew such ridiculous, idiotic fodder that is so easily disproven thus proving your craziness and stupidity— tremo12
- lets not forget eric zomalt,bobby hoying, victor bailey, chris t jones, joe panos, jason dunn, ray farmer,james darling, damien robinson, ND Kalu, Luther Broughton, allen rossum, brandon whiting,— tremo12
- uhh no actually, like I am saying, Reids drafting the last 5 years or so there have been MORE MISSES then hits. its not good drafting. He had a few great drafts his first few years when Tom Modrak was the GM. As hes gotten more control the drafts have gotten WORSE. he wasted 4 picks just trying to find ONE position, FS. JAck Ikequanu, Macho harris, quentin demps, and now nate allen. A good drafter would have gotten it right in ONE, MAYBE 2 picks but not FOUR PICKS for one position with each one FAILLING HORRIBLY so he has to waste even another one etc. etc. and Reid never drafted Dawkins in the first place, he inherited him. He has not been able to draft ONE GOOD free safety yet in THIRTEEN YEARS. THAT IS NOT GOOD DRAFTING. do some research before making an opinion. hes no better then an average drafter. and maybe worse.— CharlieGarner25
- ok, nitiwit he has not needed to draft a free safety for 13 yrs now has he? Do YOUR research. BDawk walked in 2009, it is 2011. My math has that as 2 years. Secondly, Nate Allen is a 2ND YEAR PLAYER coming off injury and was doing very well last year. You really suck at this debating thing. And average drafter at best? Who is better? You also fail to mention he had Q Mikell as an UNDRAFTED free agent. And he was a pro bowler. Reid had some poor drafts from Id say 2004-2007/8. But to say recently you are just a typical, loser, no good, rotten, fat, ugly, know nothing moron, nitwit eagles know-nothing "fan"— tremo12
- And Modrak was with Eagles from 98-01, Reid's best draft was 02. So, yeah, wrong AGAIN! and Modrak was with Buffalo from 01-10. How many times did Buffalo make the playoffs and who did Buffalo draft during that time? So, yeah, wrong AGAIN! Go call 610WIP— tremo12
- and more misses than hits? Compared to whom?????— tremo12
- lol, you didnt look at the lists. look at the lists. modrak was gm for 4 years and all the players he got were the ones that went to those 4 championship games in a row. after that, GARBAGE time. andy Reid garbage. look at the list, give me one good draft Reid has had in THE LAST FIVE YEARS. ONE. you cant name one cauz there ISNT ONE, just like he will NEVER WIN THE SB. hes not a fantastic drafter. at all.— CharlieGarner25
- great post konkussion— SkipinWV
- Colt is a outstanding safety, the Eagles need to make sure he makes the team. This kid is contributing on the punting team. Did we forget that the punting can be a game changer. With Eagles predicted to go far this season, there will be alot of game that will decided by special teams play. We have to think out side the box and consider every aspect of a game...my vote is to keep Colt Anderson— mtoredigger
- Too much overlap between philly.com sportswriters. What part of this article wasn't already covered before?— armchairGM
- Comment removed.
- Reid has last say on personnel. Every last player.
— phillychaos
