Allen's first day; Hall released
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Allen's first day; Hall released
Les Bowen
In a bit of a surprise, the Eagles today released linebacker/defensive end Alex Hall, the guy they got from Cleveland for Chris Gocong, in order to make roster room for second-round rookie safety Nate Allen, who officially signed.
The April 2 deal sent Gocong and corner Sheldon Brown to Cleveland (to be reunited with former Birds GM Tom Heckert) for Hall and fourth- and fifth-round picks. Hall, primarily a pass-rusher, was viewed as a similar player to Gocong, who was a strongside starter who fell out of favor last season.
Hall played in 30 games with the Browns over two seasons after arriving as a seventh-round draft pick.
Coach Andy Reid indicated after practice that Hall was more suited for a 3-4 system. The Eagles play a 4-3.
“You obviously go through the roster see the guys that you feel don’t quite fit in well to what you’re doing schematically," Reid said. "Alex Hall, I really think he is and will be a very good outside linebacker in a 34 front. We worked him as linebacker and we also worked him as a defensive end, and we just felt his best thing would be 34. Alex can definitely play in this league and be very successful, he’s just gotta be in the right situation.”
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As for Allen, here is some of what he had to say after his first practice:
“Every rep counts and I knew that sitting at home," Allen said. "I was talking to my agent, pushing him like, ‘Hey, when’s a deal going to get done?’ because I was just ready to get up here and start working. I felt like I was getting behind, but I’m glad to be up here finally.”
On his opportunity to play right away:
“I feel good and like you said it’s an opportunity. I just know I have to learn as much as I can because I’m still learning and just getting in with the veteran guys and the coaches and just trying to take advantage, make plays and help the team win.”
On how he has been preparing this past week:
“I’ve just been in Philly working out and just in the playbook getting ready to come up to camp. This last week I’ve been kind of zoned out because I was thinking I was going to be here on the 26th. But I finally got up here today and I just kind of zoned out and have been in camp mode.”
On whether he is concerned about losing repetitions and the starting safety position:
“I was just looking to get here and get to practice and start working. I really wasn’t worried too much about whether or not I’m still starting or not because just getting here was good with me.”
On the media buzz about missing practice:
“I had heard stuff, but I tried not to pay too much attention to the news and just try to focus in on what I need to do. Especially being a rookie, I have a lot to learn and I just tried not to get caught up in the other stuff. It’s just getting the playbook down mainly and getting ready for the season.”
On his knowledge of the playbook:
“I feel confident in what we doing so far, but I have a lot to go and I have a lot to learn still. It’s just getting comfortable in it because I’ve only been in the system a couple of months, but that’s no excuse. I have to take it and run with it and get in the playbook.”
So, the coaches and personnel folks can't figure out until day 1 at training camp that this this guy doesn't fit a 4-3? How about some film study beforehand? What a joke.— redcans- Eagles defense is GARBAGE. They've got this kid, a former ball boy and clipboard holder for Reid running the show. McDermott has no experience, no pedigree, and he obviously has no clue what he's doing. Last year was an unmititgated disaster. Tell me what they've done to improve the secondary? The corners are garbage and the safeties will be exposed. They'll give up 35 points per game. MCDERMOTT MUST GO!!! R.I.P. Jim Johnson, the greatest coach this town has ever seen.— Tacklebury
- The Eagles are rarely transparent. Sometimes they have good reasons, sometimes they don't. It is strange with so many wide receivers on the roster who won't make the team that we cut a linebacker we traded for instead...— JohnFC
- Hall told a midget joke at the training table and Banner didnt like it one bit.
- What I don't get is it took them three years to realize that Gocong was 3-4 linebacker then traded him for another 3-4 linebacker that only took them a single off-season to realize the same fact. Just a waste, but who knows, they had to get rid of Brown and Gcong, either way. I doubt anyone would have traded for him and this gives him a chance with a team like KC. The skill set has to fit the position and he didn't have the backpeddle to make it as a strong side backer, in a 4-3. You can hide that weakness in a 3-4 but not in a 4-3.— piercit
- gave up sheldon brown for absolutely nothing instead of paying him...genius move!— ite483
- The story is the joke here, "Coach Andy Reid indicated after practice that Hall was more suited for a 3-4 system. The Eagles play a 4-3" Just figure this out did ya Big Red?? All off-season, dert-der-der nope didn't realize this, but one day of training camp and, yup, can't play here...huh? -not bob levy— remyy
- Why did big red have Gocong playing LB when he was a DE in College anyway; @ his size, it would have beena better fit, but I guess the Eagles front office is so much smarter than everyone else. Do not be surprised if he gets 10 sacks this year playing his true position...— The Professor
- wow......only in philly do you see teams trade key players for picks and other players, only to release them!!! And by the way Andy, one day is not enough of a look, i think they should have let the guy stay for another week just to see. If this guy gets cut because he was better suited for a 3-4 scheme, then what does that mean for Chaney and all of the other tweener type draft picks who Reid & co raved about post-draft— Omorales510
Comment removed.- definitely more to this story. i agree you cut a WR not this guy. amazing.— djack10
- Hello, Alex, thanks for coming. See ya!— mike l
- Comment removed.
- If they knew he was suited better for a 3-4 defense, then why trade for him? It makes no sense.— phillyinsd
- Wouldn't most of us want to know if a guy was going to fit our system BEFORE trading for him? Just wondering...— PhillySubsMac
