TRUSTS CHOOCH IN A PINCH
UPDATE: Earlier Friday, I published my projected 53-man roster, but a couple hours after it was posted, the Eagles announced they had traded for Cardinals offensive lineman Reggie Wells, who had started 70 consecutive games (mostly at guard) for Arizona.
ESPN's Adam Schefter also Tweeted that there is interest from teams in Stacy Andrews. A deal would make sense, given the move to acquire Wells and the fact that the Eagles have not shown any confidence in Andrews being able to start at guard in the last year.
Anyway, here is the updated 53-man roster. I do not think Wells will take a spot away from another offensive lineman for the time being. I originally had the Eagles keeping nine offensive linemen, but Wells makes it 10.
I bumped seventh-round pick Jeff Owens from my original proejction, giving the Eagles nine defensive linemen and 10 offensive linemen instead of vice versa.
The Eagles also announced cuts. None of the players (thankfully) were on my projected roster, but here they are: RB J.J. Arrington, WR Dobson Collins, DE Pannel Egboh, TE Nate Lawrie, RB Martell Mallett, OL Jeraill McCuller, CB David Pender, CB Geoff Pope, DT Boo Robinson, and S Anthony Scirrotto.
Here's the roster breakdown:
Quarterbacks (3): Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick, Mike Kafka
Comment: The easiest group to figure out. We're not sure how they'll use Vick, but these are the three on the roster.
Running backs (4): LeSean McCoy, Leonard Weaver, Mike Bell, Eldra Buckley
Comment: McCoy and Weaver have been locks all along. Bell has been hampered by injuries, but he'll get a chance to contribute if healthy. And Buckley provides depth and special-teams help.
Offensive line (10): Jamaal Jackson, Todd Herremans, Stacy Andrews, Jason Peters, Winston Justice, Austin Howard, Mike McGlynn, Nick Cole, Max Jean-Gilles, Reggie Wells
Comment: The name that is missing that might surprise you is King Dunlap. He's entering his third season, meaning the Eagles have to decide whether the potential is still there to hold on to him for another year. Herremans can slide over to tackle in a pinch, and Wells has played some tackle also. I think those two things, along with the emergence of Howard, make Dunlap the odd man out.
Wide receivers (6): DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Riley Cooper, Hank Baskett, Kelley Washington
Comment: I'll admit to changing my mind with this group on a weekly basis. I'm feeling very confident about those first five guys. As for Washington, if the Eagles are deciding on the final four spots, special teams is a huge factor. And he can help them there. He also serves as one of those core veterans that all young teams need. And he had a decent year as a receiver in 2009. If you're wondering about Chad Hall, I'm not seeing it. I know the coaches like adding offensive toys with different skills, but I just don't see how he'd ever get the ball, given the other weapons they have. I'm not really sure he provides an upgrade over the other guys on the roster on special teams, either.
Tight ends (2): Brent Celek, Clay Harbor
Comment: This is a pretty simple one. The Eagles could make a roster move at tight end in the next week, but it would be a huge surprise if Cornelius Ingram stuck around.
Defensive line (9): Trent Cole, Brandon Graham, Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson, Trevor Laws, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Juqua Parker, Antonio Dixon, Darryl Tapp
Comment: As I mentioned at the top, Owens has a shot since the Eagles use almost all their defensive linemen on gamedays, but I think the addition of Wells takes his roster spot. I previously had Owens as the 53rd man on the roster.
Linebackers (6): Stewart Bradley, Ernie Sims, Akeem Jordan, Moise Fokou, Omar Gaither, Keenan Clayton
Comment: This is probably the most difficult group to figure out. Gaither's versatility earns him a spot. Clayton has potential and can play a couple positions too. I'm not sure what Fokou's role will be but don't think the Eagles want to give up on him. If the Eagles had 55 spots, I think owens and JaMar Chaney would probabaly be the two they'd like to keep. I'm not ready to say Tracy White has no shot, although I have him getting cut here.
Cornerbacks (5): Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, Joselio Hanson, Dimitri Patterson, Trevard Lindley
Comment: This was an easy one. Not much to say really, other than that Hobbs has to prove himself in games, and it'll be interesting to see how much better Lindley can get as the season goes on.
Safeties (5): Quintin Mikell, Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Macho Harris, Quintin Demps
Comment: It could come down to Harris or Demps for one roster spot, but I'm leaving them both on. I think the Eagles like Harris too much to give up on him, and he really hasn't been given a fair shake. Drafted as a cornerback, they moved him to safety as a rookie. He didn't perform there. They moved him back to cornerback this offseason. He got injured. And now he's back at safety. Those moves haven't exactly put him in a position to succeed. Demps, on the other hand, has had two full seasons to win the starting safety job and hasn't done so. If they have to pick one to keep, I think it'll be Harris.
Specialists (3): David Akers, Sav Rocca, Jon Dorenbos
Comment: Now would be a good time to mention that if I have a son down the road, I'm grooming him to be a long-snapper.
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