Eagles cut to Chase (Daniel) for preseason finale
With Sam Bradford preparing for Week 1 and Carson Wentz too injured to take a hit, the quarterback in the spotlight for the Eagles' preseason finale on Thursday against the New York Jets will be backup Chase Daniel.
With Sam Bradford preparing for Week 1 and Carson Wentz too injured to take a hit, the quarterback in the spotlight for the Eagles' preseason finale on Thursday against the New York Jets will be backup Chase Daniel.
Coach Doug Pederson's flexible plan is for Daniel to start the game and play the first half and fourth-string quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to play in the second half.
The game offers another opportunity for Daniel to prepare for the regular season, considering that he's slated to be the backup quarterback on game days and will need to enter the lineup if Bradford suffers an injury.
Daniel, 29, signed a three-year, $21 million contract in March. He has spent most of his career as a backup quarterback but is a veteran when it comes to starting the fourth preseason game. During the last three seasons in Kansas City, Daniel filled that role in the preseason finale.
"It's a lot easier because your juices are [flowing], your adrenaline is rolling, you know exactly when you're going to go into the game, you're starting it," Daniel said. "It's a little bit different when you're coming off the bench and playing the game because you're not sure when you're going to get in."
Daniel will play with fellow backups. Pederson will rest almost all of the Eagles' starters except for linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who missed two games with a hamstring injury, and right tackle Lane Johnson, who is expected to be suspended for 10 games during the regular season.
With Johnson protecting him during the last two weeks, Daniel has benefited from improved blocking from the offensive line. Daniel's debut in an Eagles uniform in the preseason opener was not a banner performance, but he has looked better during the last two weeks. Daniel went 19 for 28 for 186 yards and one touchdown in the second and third games. He finished 4 of 10 for 15 yards and was sacked four times in the first game.
"I think we've shored up a whole bunch of things," Daniel said. "You look at protection standpoint in the second game and third game, any quarterback can stand back there and throw the ball. So our guys have done an excellent job, and our receivers - the longer you're with a group you're throwing to week in, week out, day in, day out, you're going to have some camaraderie."
Daniel's spot on the roster is assured, but there are other players who are trying to stay employed based on how they perform Thursday. Rosters must be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. Saturday. The Eagles have 75 players on their roster, and some of the 22 players receiving pink slips remain undetermined.
"We've still got some young guys in the back end of the secondary that we're still taking a look at. Receivers are the same way," Pederson said. "I mean, really, this is a great challenge for all the players in this football game to get one last substantial amount of reps and to really put themselves on tape. I've made it known to the team that it's not just our team that's watching, it's the rest of the National Football League that's also watching."
In the secondary, the Eagles still need to figure out their backup safeties and settle on their final cornerbacks. Jaylen Watkins and Ed Reynolds, who are used to playing for jobs in the fourth preseason game, will get long looks at safety. Neither made the team after the final cuts last summer before finding their way back onto the roster. Both are hoping they can make it an easier Labor Day weekend this time. Watkins appears to be a strong candidate for the third safety job.
"Compared to the past two years, I feel pretty good," Watkins said. "But I obviously feel I still have some work to do. I have to go out there and prove I can tackle."
At wide receiver, the Eagles will extend the playing time of their undrafted rookies after releasing Rueben Randle and Chris Givens on Sunday. The top four receivers appear set, but Paul Turner is a player to watch if the Eagles keep five receivers. He leads the Eagles with 11 catches for 99 yards this summer.
The fourth preseason game is often watched begrudgingly by fans who are passionate about the Eagles but are less interested in watching players who won't make the team. Advocates of shortening the preseason usually point to this game as one for elimination.
Daniel, a former undrafted rookie who carved out a career and several contracts from the way he played in the preseason, understands its value. And when the Eagles reduce their roster Saturday, what happens Thursday could be a factor.
"I definitely see both sides," Daniel said. "I'm not a proponent of guys playing who are going to be your starters in Week 1. It's just too dangerous. But also, I do understand the fact that a good bit of this locker room and locker rooms around the NFL need this game to make the team. So I take it very seriously."
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