During minicamps, the Eagles defensive coordinator all but drooled about the depth and competition he would have at defensive end.

In addition to veterans Trent Cole, Juqua Parker and a revitalized Darren Howard, the Eagles were high on second-year end Victor Abiamiri, had signed pass-rush specialist Chris Clemons (eight sacks last season with Oakland), and took a diamond-in-the-rough chance on rookie Bryan Smith, a two-time Division I-AA All-America at McNeese State.

They even were pleasantly surprised by a dramatic turnaround in hard-luck end Jerome McDougle, a former first-round pick who has been hampered by injury for most of his first five seasons.

It was looking good.

Howard and Smith were going to provide depth on the right side behind Cole, a Pro Bowl performer last season.

Clemons and Abiamiri were going to rotate with Parker on the left side.

So much for the best-laid plans.

Going into Friday's third preseason game at New England, injuries have kept Abiamiri (wrist) and Clemons (calf) off the field. An early injury to Smith has hampered his development.

Yesterday Johnson said he will have the versatile Howard also taking snaps on the left side.

He also said McDougle is playing his way more into the mix each day as he continues his strong showing.

"[Howard] is a right end, there's no question about it," Johnson said. "But we are going to work him in a little bit [at left], because he's a good pass-rusher.

"McDougle is pushing. He's got two more preseason games so we'll know more then."

The situation concerning McDougle, who missed all of last season with a torn triceps, is one of the more interesting in camp.

Hardly anyone expected him to be on the final roster when training camp opened.

But Clemons' absence has presented McDougle with opportunities.

"Mac's doing a good job," Johnson said. "This has become one of those situations where there's competition between McDougle and Chris Clemons.

"We have to get Chris back on the field. Until we get him back on the field, we're just not going to know."

Although playing with the second unit, McDougle had gotten an interior push in both preseason games and has one of the Eagles' two sacks.

"I just want to stay focused on staying on the field," said McDougle, who missed the 2005 season after being shot in the stomach during a robbery attempt just before training camp. "That's been the biggest thing in my whole career - the injuries.

"As long as I stay on the field and play up to my potential, everything else is going to fall into place. I'm not there yet. I just want to keep improving."

Given his injury history, McDougle said he empathizes with Clemons.

It's been a frustrating time for Clemons.

"It sets you back a lot when you can't go out and compete and be at the top of your game, stay in shape and practice," Clemons said. "We need as many healthy players as we can get right now.

"When I've been out there, it's been going well. I've been able to pick up the defense. I've been able to go out and show some of the things I'm capable of doing, show some of the reasons they brought me in here. It's unfortunate, the injury has come at a critical time."

It will be fun to see how this plays out.

If McDougle still has any of the potential left that led the Eagles to move up in the 2003 draft to select him, it will be hard for them not to find a spot for him.

"I think it's just, hey, the best players are going to play," Johnson said, when asked about McDougle's chances. "I can say, I think he's come a long way.

"We'll just see what happens. It has nothing to do with the past or anything like that. He's healthy. He's performing well, and he's competing for that roster spot." *

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