Eagles final cut tracker
Reports of Eagles cuts are beginning to trickle in, and we'll keep you updated throughout the day as we learn learn more, so continue to check back.
As the Eagles cut down to 53 players today, news will be coming in fast and furious. Keep it with us here today, as we update all the relevent news that occurs throughout the day, while also providing analysis of each move in one convenient place. The latest news will appear at the top of the page.
Saturday
Eagles depth should look like this:
Eagles confirm their cuts
Per an Eagles press release, the Eagles have made the following roster moves:
Eagles open to trading Barkley
Barkley is buried deep behind Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez on the depth chart. Foles is only 25 years old, which should give the Eagles less incentive to want a younger developmental QB on the roster behind him. If this were 2009 and a 32 year old Donovan McNabb were your QB, it would be more appealing to keep a guy like Barkley around to try to develop into a starting caliber QB. But with a young, promising QB in Foles and a capable vet in Sanchez in place, Barkley's value to the Eagles isn't as high as it may be to other teams around the league
Curtis Marsh cut
Jeff McLane is reporting that Curtis Marsh has been cut.
Marsh was repeatedly toasted like a marshmallow against the Pats in the third preseason game.
Roc Carmichael cut
Chip not at the NovaCare Complex
Apparently, Chip Kelly is taking in Ohio State vs Navy today.
That seems kind of strange, seeing as it's cut down day and all.
Eagles looking for ILB help
Les Bowen ishearing that the Eagles will be looking for ILB help once teams have made their cuts.
ILB is an obvious position of need for depth.
Friday
Casey Matthews will make the team, Acho cut
This will probably be unpopular news, but according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, Casey Matthews will continue his uninterrupted tenure with the Eagles.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Acho will be released.
Acho was arguably the better ILB throughout training camp, but the team may view Matthews as a more effective special teams contributor. Long's ACL tear likely factored into Matthews making the final 53.
Travis Long tears ACL
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Travis Long has an ACL tear in his left knee, which will end his season.
Long had a great camp, and most beat writers were forecasting that he would make the team as an OLB who could also play ILB in a pinch. Horrible break for Long.
Eagles keeping Cody Parkey
According to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, the Eagles are keeping Cody Parkey.
That doesn't necessarily mean that Alex Henery will be cut, but after drilling a pair of 50+ yard field goals in the fourth preseason game, at a minimum Parkey has bought himself more time on the roster. Henery remains alive... for now.
Aldon Smith suspended nine games
Whoa! Big news out of San Francisco! Aldon Smith was suspended for nine games.
The Eagles face the 49ers Week 4, which means they will not have to face Smith.
Eagles had QB Thad Lewis in for workout
The Eagles apparently worked out former Bills QB Thad Lewis, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today:
Lewis' numbers last season:
Lewis is worthy of a roster spot in the NFL, not just on a practice squad. If you do the math, the Eagles have three QBs on the roster -- Nick Foles, Mark Sanchez, and Matt Barkley. Foles and Sanchez are clearly the #1 and #2 QBs, sooooo... let's just call this development... interesting. We covered the possibility of a Barkley trade a few days ago.
Chris Polk possibly safe
Here's one that will (wrongfully) anger some. The Inquirer's Jeff McLane is hearing that Chris Polk is safe.
We covered why Polk should make the team in greater detail earlier this morning.
Quron Pratt cut
According to Berman (again), the Eagles waived Quron Pratt, who was a longshot, but a pleasant surprise.
Pratt made plays in practice, but was buried on the depth chart.
Eagles trying to trade Damaris Johnson
The Eagles are also reportedly shopping Damaris Johnson, per Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly:
Andy? You liked Damaris, right?
Trey Burton safe
Here's a guy will WILL make the team, per the Daily News' Les Bowen:
A certain handsome lad (me) had Burton making the final 53, with the following reasoning.
It's going to be really hard to cut Trey Burton. At a minimum, he has made that decision tough for the Eagles. Normally, the proposition of having a player poached from the practice squad is an overrated fear, in that teams tend to like their own players. However, Burton has legitimate versatility and receiving skills, and teams around the league are bound to have interest. In 2015, James Casey will count for $4 million again the cap, with no penalty to cut. The Eagles could look at Burton as a possible eventual replacement if they can get him to improve his blocking.
...although I'm not sure if that was the Eagles' rationale.
Arrelious Benn to IR
This news is not a cut. Rather it is that WR Arrelious Benn will head to injured reserve.
Benn was limping on the sideline against the Jets, but said he was healthy after the game in the locker room. We'll report his injury as soon as it's known.
Ifeanyi Momah cut
6'7 WR Ifeanyi Momah was drastically improved this year compared to last training camp, when he could not get any separation or win contested catches. He still could not separate this year, but did a far better job of using his height to his advantage. He's a prime candidate for the practice squad, as a guy who can mimic tall opposing receivers. Momah's cut was first reported by the Inquirer's Zach Berman:
Henry Josey cut
This cut is certain to disappoint many of the fans.
Josey had a tremendous preseason. However, he was difficult to evaluate playing behind an offensive line that was dominant, and against opposing reserves. At a minimum, Josey flashed legitimate potential, and the Eagles will likely look to bring him back to the practice squad if another team doesn't claim him, which is a strong possibility.
GJ Kinne cut
Kinne never really had much of a chance for a roster spot. Kinne had excellent preseason numbers, but was clearly behind Matt Barkley for the #3 QB spot.
Josh Andrews cut
The first cut that was revealed was OG Josh Andrews, whose agent broke the news:
Andrews looked good at times, but with the Eagles having more quality depth along their OL than expected, Andrews could not stick.
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