Breaking down the Eagles' offensive depth chart
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Breaking down the Eagles' offensive depth chart
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles sent out their official game notes for the preseason opener yesterday, complete with the first depth chart of the year.
The Birds host the Ravens Thursday night at the Linc, and with so much roster turnover, combined with the shortened offseason, there will be more areas to focus on than normal.
To preview the game, I'm going to break down the depth chart on offense and defense, going position-by-position.
Today, I'll do the offense, and on Wednesday, I'll do the defense.
QUARTERBACKS
This group is set with Michael Vick, Vince Young and Mike Kafka.
Young has taken quite a bit of criticism since he started practicing. But keep in mind that Marty Mornhinweg is essentially breaking Young down and building him back up again.
The other day, I saw Morhninweg and Young working one-on-one on a side practice field. For 15 to 20 minutes, Young barely threw a pass. He just worked on footwork, taking the snap and getting into his drop. So it's not surprising that he misses throws and looks confused during live drills. I'm sure Eagles coaches expect that. He's had four total practices and four walkthroughs in a brand new system. It's all about getting the basics down right now.
The only question here is: If Vick goes down early in the season, does Young definitely go in? Or do they go with Kafka, who has spent more than a year in the system?
I still say it would be Young, but I think the Eagles would have to greatly simplify their offense for him. That's something they've done a good job of in the past - molding the offense to the quarterback.
The only other QB on the roster is Jerrod Johnson. The Inquirer's Bob Ford wrote a good column on Johnson, but he will not be making the 53-man roster.
RUNNING BACKS
The locks are LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown. McCoy has flown under the radar at Lehigh, with all the other storylines, but he appears poised for another big year.
By the way, hate to be the one to bring this up, but McCoy could very well be in the same contract situation next summer that DeSean Jackson is dealing with now. He's scheduled to make $575,000 in 2012. Oh, and his agent is Drew Rosenhaus.
Behind Brown, four guys are essentially batting for one spot: Dion Lewis, Eldra Buckley, Graig Cooper and Derrick Locke. Lewis was a fifth-round pick so he might have the early edge. Buckley was a good special-teams player last year. And Cooper and Locke were undrafted free agents.
Both Lewis and Locke should get chances to return kicks Thursday night.
None of the four has distinguished himself at Lehigh, so definitely keep an eye on them against the Ravens.
At fullback, rookie Stanley Havili has not stood out so that spot looks like it will go to Owen Schmitt.
I'm assuming here that the Eagles keep four running backs, including Schmitt.
WIDE RECEIVERS
This is a tough one because Jeremy Maclin's status remains a mystery.
Andy Reid said he expects Maclin to be ready for the opener, so let's assume that to be the case.
Four spots are accounted for: DeSean Jackson, Maclin, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper.
Assuming the Eagles keep five receivers, there is competition for that final spot. On the depth chart, the Eagles list Sinorice Moss, Rod Harper, Chad Hall, Brandon Caleb, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Terrance Turner and Gerald Jones.
In reality, that's probably a three-man race between Moss, Higgins and Hall. Those are the three to watch on Thursday. And don't just focus on their offensive output. Special teams will play a major role. Higgins is listed as the No. 1 kickoff returner. Moss is listed as one of the punt returners.
TIGHT ENDS
Brent Celek has the top spot nailed down, but there's competition for his backup with Clay Harbor and Donald Lee.
On the depth chart, Harbor is listed at No. 2, and I would agree with that. He's the favorite. Don't think Martell Webb or Cornelius Ingram have a shot at making the roster. I expect the Eagles to keep two tight ends.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The left side is easy, with Jason Peters at tackle and Todd Herremans at guard. Center has become a position for competition between Jamaal Jackson and Jason Kelce.
The preseason will be important for Danny Watkins, but he should be good to go by Week 1 at right guard.
At right tackle, Ryan Harris is the starter for now, but Winston Justice should get a chance to compete, if healthy.
Fighting for backup spots are: Austin Howard, King Dunlap, Mike McGlynn, Evan Mathis, Julian Vandervelde and Fenuki Tupou. I don't see A.Q. Shipley or Dallas Reynolds making it.
At tackle, some have asked if Justice could be cut. I don't see it. If healthy, I think he's a better option than Dunlap and Howard.
Others have asked if Jackson could be cut. Again, I don't think so. He's a valuable veteran. And do the Eagles really want to start two rookies on the offensive line? I'd still say Jackson is the favorite to start.
Here's who I see as locks: Peters, Herremans, Watkins, Harris, Kelce.
I'd say Justice and Jackson are strong choices to make the roster too.
That leaves Howard, Dunlap, McGlynn, Mathis, Vandervelde and Tupou fighting for three (maybe four) spots. I wouldn't be surprised if only one of Dunlap/Howard/Tupou makes it. That would give the Eagles two backup offensive tackles (again, assuming Justice is healthy). Remember, there were games last year where they only kept one tackle active. On the depth chart, Dunlap and Howard are listed ahead of Tupou. Could come down to one of those two.
On the interior, if the Eagles keep 10 linemen, it could come down to two spots for McGlynn, Mathis and Vandervelde. Both McGlynn and Mathis have experience as starters, and McGlynn has added value because he can play center (although that's not so important with Jackson and Kelce on the roster). Vandervelde was a fifth-round pick.
Definitely keep an eye on the backups Thursday night. Lots to still be decided there.
That's the offense. The defensive breakdown comes Wednesday.
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I cringe when I think Vince Young could be the QB by season's end. I hope Kafka has a great camp and is the locked at number 2.— delcodanno- "Why don't you take a shot at Banner and Roseman and Lurie, Sheil? Oh, that's right, you don't write ridiculous opinion pieces."
Well said. Someone who actually tells us about the team instead of manufacturing "news."
— armchairGM - @DDF/Aristotle: You made me laugh and, despite what your detractors say, you're all right.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- It's amazing all the depth we have on the offensive line this year. I like Higgins and Moss, so I think it will come down to special teams. The Chad Hall experiment is hopefully over.— ej610
- I can't see the Eagles keeping 6 wide receivers AND 3 tight ends simply because of our offensive line situation. If I had to guess, I'd say the Eagles hold onto 6 receivers and drop Clay Harbor. Ronnie Brown and Donald Lee were signed to help out with pass protection. LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek are great receivers, hopefully Celek gets used more in the passing game this season. We have enough weapons where Clay Harbor would be expendable. I feel as though keeping Harbor would just be a waste of a roster spot, not because he isn't a good tight end, but he wouldn't be used a lot.
We'll keep four tackles (Peters, Harris, Howard, and either Dunlap or Tupuo), four guards (Herremans, Watkins, Mathis, and Vandervelde), two centers (Jackson and Kelce) and then McGlynn as a C/G.
11 lineman, 8 WRs & TEs, 3 or 4 RBs and a FB, and the 3 QBs.— colahead420 - Mornhinweg and Reid need to stop getting so much credit for being QB makers. They couldn't get McNabb to throw a simple screen pass. They should spend more time with Kafka who could be our future QB instead of Young who will be gone next year.— ej610
This is the one area that seems to always need constant attention, that's because it takes an offensive line at least 4 yrs. to jell and the Eagles keep having piece one together.— Tinkys- Vince Young needs to make BIG strides in the next month in order for him to be considered the likely fill-in for Vick. Kafka has the year in the Eagles system and, apparently, he's having a very good camp and is well thought of.
Right now, Young is a PROJECT. Whether or not a successful one, remains to be seen.— FishFryFrank - Winston Justice, easy.— boasocal
Comment removed.- McGlynn has it all over Justice. He can play center, guard or tackle.
Oh yeah, plus he is not afraid to hit someone. Justice is too timid.— section117 - The neglect of the LB position is abysmal (and yes I know this is an Offense oriented piece but bear with me) The FB competition comes down to the 7th round pick and Owen Schmitt. REALLY?! Was this necessary? Reid could have taken Herzlich with that pick and given a local kid that was an OUTSTANDING LB a chance to play. If he gets healthy and can play the way he is possible what a steal and if not so what, he ends up in the same place that 7th round FB ends up, cut and out of football. Now we get to potentially watch Herzlich kill us twice a year.— Eagle GREEN Mt State
- You could duct tape together the two best RT'S the Iggles have and STILL not come close to Jon Runyon. THAT is the type of pass protection we gotta have ....IF....Andy is gonna make a SERIOUS run at the Superbowl. With what we got now, I don't see any way in the world we make it past the second round. Every "D" coordinator that we face will be having blitze packages DESIGNED for the right side....against what will be a rookie RG and a castoff RT. Good luck V7....— TBear
- Comment removed.
- Wasn't Vince Young the guy with the 6 on the Wonderlic?— mikegdj
- Chad Hall did not go to BYU. The United States Air Force Academy is his alma mater.— tornadoh
- Practice squad? We talkin about practice squad, not a real squad.— P Even
- Oh for the days when a center or guard could be the long snapper too. I suppose Dorenbos is untouchable, but it would be great to use his roster spot for someone who can play on more than special teams. Last year they kept ten offensive linemen for the opening 53-man roster. I don't think McGlynn is eligible for the practice squad. With a small army covering the Eagles, some writer should let us know if the rules are still the same.— Section 730
- 5 receivers and 2 tight ends seems kind of light at those positions Sheil..With as many 3 WR sets that are used today..I see 6 WRs kept. Andy likes his little BYU guy Chad Hall..I see him making it and the last WR spot will go to the winner of the Higgins- Moss competition. At TE, I see 3 making it with Lee being 3rd string. On the O line, I see 10 guys making it..Starters will be Peters, Herremans, Jackson, Watkins and Harris.. backups to be McGlynn, Justice, Kelce, Dunlap and Mathis. Some nice players will have to be let go..— bradco
- Fortunately, the NFL has eliminated that silly emergency quarterback rule, so it makes no game day difference whether Kafka or Young is the third stringer.— paolibulldog
- McGlynn is not eligible for the practice squad because he has played in more than 9 games and been on the roster for a whole year— briandawkins20moron
- McGlynn needs to find a spot on the 53. I think somebody will take him from the practice squad. I suspect this will clear up with injuries that will happen in the next two weeks.
— willbert31 - Remember the practice squad, folks. (at least, I assume the new CBA still includes a practice squad). A few of these rookies, at least initially, will settle onto the practice squad. This is particularly important this season since they are not getting the reps they usually would in a full-length camp. I would be willing to bet that, at least, one and more likely three or four of the guys who start this year on the practice squad will be contributors by (or well before) the start of the 2012 season.... and, yes, I suspect that at least one will be a WR.— kobrakai7474
- The Ingram experiment failed. Peter King loved that pick by the way.— dragoon6
- Do you know anything about football dragoon? It was sleeper pick that could have paid huge dividends, the kid was a stud at FL. — beerflow
- Ingram was a peerless talent, but his knee failed him (twice). Go back and read the training camp reports two years ago before he re-injured his knee. His speed and his pass catching ability were breath taking.
It breaks my heart to see the professional career of a such talent end before it even begins.— Falkirk - Seriously Fresh you are one of the funniest ladies I have read. But what's up with your crush on McNabb...— hasanmahmd
- I would think they could keep 6 WRs and 3 TEs, even though not all would dress every Sunday. I see benefit in keeping both Moss and Higgins.— jayheezy
Why don't you take a shot at Banner and Roseman and Lurie, Sheil? Oh, that's right, you don't write ridiculous opinion pieces. Sorry, I forgot that you were one of the few excellent sportswriters on this site.— Leegles- Comment removed.
- go away ddf...you're a total waste. — phillyborn4
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