Five Eagles roster questions
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Five Eagles roster questions
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles will make their first round of cuts by this Tuesday at 4 p.m. That's when the roster has to get down to 80 players.
By Saturday, Sept. 3, that number has to get down to 53.
The Birds have played three preseason games, but as recently as yesterday, provided shakeups that are sure to affect roster decisions. Most notably, they moved Todd Herremans to right tackle, and Steve Smith and Jeremy Maclin returned to practice.
I'm going to wait until Friday to put out my full 53-man roster projection, but having worked on it quite a bit in the past few days, here are five questions that will affect who makes it:
1. Will Joselio Hanson be traded?
I've discussed this possibility several times in recent weeks. The reasons for dealing Hanson are simple. He carries a reported cap number of over $2.4M and is unlikely to be on the field except for dime packages. Meanwhile, the Eagles have rookie Curtis Marsh, second-year player Trevard Lindley and Brandon Hughes behind him. Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com reported on Friday that the Eagles are currently fielding offers for Hanson. And Howard Balzer of 101 ESPN Radio in St. Louis Tweeted that the Rams have discussed dealing for Hanson, although his contract could be an issue. But if the Eagles do find a suitable trade partner, I could see them keeping Marsh, Lindley and Hughes and going with six cornerbacks. If not, they would have to decide whether cutting Hanson makes sense, or whether they'd be better off bidding farewell to Lindley or Hughes. I think Marsh is probably safe.
2. What is Winston Justice's status?
His injury has been puzzling since the first day of training camp. The Eagles were obviously concerned enough to sign Ryan Harris, then Reggie Wells and now move Todd Herremans over. Even when Justice gets healthy, it seems he'll be penciled in for a backup role. This weekend, Andy Reid once again told reporters Justice is "close" but he has not yet returned to practice. It's fair to wonder whether he could start the season on the PUP list and sit out the first six weeks. Justice's status probably affects Reggie Wells the most. If Justice goes on PUP, Wells has a great shot to make the roster, even though his signing was a surprise last week. The only other backup tackle is King Dunlap, unless the Eagles were in a pinch and had to move Evan Mathis or Danny Watkins. Moving Herremans made the Eagles thinner along the interior anyway, so it's possible Justice could come back, and the Eagles would still keep Wells.
3. Who has the edge: Hunt or Te'o-Nesheim?
This is a big one. Unless the Eagles surprise and get rid of a veteran like Juqua Parker, it probably comes down to Phillip Hunt or Daniel Te'o-Nesheim for the final defensive end spot. Hunt has stayed healthy and had some bright spots in the preseason. Te'o-Nesheim missed Thursday night's game against the Browns, but reportedly returned to practice yesterday. He was a third-round pick in 2010, which could give him an edge. But both players were brought in under Howie Roseman's watch.
4. Is Laws a goner?
Entering training camp, I had Trevor Laws pegged as a lock to make the roster. But when the Eagles signed veterans Anthony Hargrove and Derek Landri, Laws' status became a question mark. He's still recovering from a hip flexor injury, but it's worth noting that Laws played in 15 games last year. Only Trent Cole, Juqua Parker and Mike Patterson logged more snaps among defensive linemen. And Laws showed signs in his third season that he could be a productive player, tallying four sacks and seven QB hurries. He's only 26, but entering the final year of his contract. Did the Eagles see enough in 2010 to save a roster spot for him? Or do they prefer veterans Landri and Hargrove? The way I see it, there is probably only room for two of the three (Laws, Landri and Hargrove). Hargrove ran with the first team at defensive tackle when Patterson was injured, and he moved to defensive end last game. Landri has that "motor" Andy Reid loves and has been effective in the preseason.
5. What value do the Eagles put on the following players: Chad Hall, Colt Anderson and Akeem Jordan?
In the projection I've been working on, there are two roster spots for these three players.
Let's start with Hall. As a receiver, he looks more comfortable this summer. If it's looking like Steve Smith won't be ready to play in the first couple of weeks, Hall's value goes up. And he can serve as a return man too.
Anderson's value is pretty much limited to special teams, since the Eagles have four safeties ahead of him on the depth chart. There's no questioning how important he can be to Bobby April's unit though. Anderson had 12 special-teams tackles last year, tied for third-most on the team. What makes that number even more impressive is that he played in only eight games. Can the Eagles really afford to cut someone who has proven to be that effective on special teams? We know there will be fewer kickoff returns, but there will still be some. And don't forget about punts coverage.
And finally, Jordan. He's been serving as the backup middle linebacker, but with the roster constructed the way it currently is, I wouldn't be surprised if Jamar Chaney moved to the middle in the event that Casey Matthews got injured. Like Anderson, Jordan's value is more tied to special teams. He led the team in special teams points last season and was second to Moise Fokou with 16 special teams tackles. The roster numbers are in Jordan's favor also. The Eagles are thin at linebacker, and keeping him would give them six, which has been the norm in recent seasons.
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?teamId=3700&type=team
Andy Reid has drafted pretty well.— colahead420- The Cards starting DB is gone for the year, send him to cards for pick or player and trade lindley to Rams for a player. I take Landry over Laws, you can't be a superstar in the tub— xlGmanlx
- Chad Hall is half-a-wayne-chrebet. Keep Colt and Akeem "the dream" Jordan.— dragoon6
- DT stats are funny things. Some D's want the tackles to clog th middle and make the runners go outside where the DE's, LB's and secondary can get the tackles. Some (NT types) want the DT to occupy space and let the LB's take to glory. The Eagles seem to want to give up the center and let the MLB get the action.— Dennis Downey
- Landri started 16 games for the Panthers last year and played a shitload of downs. He had like 43 combined tacles and 3 sacks for a really bad defence. He played in college with Laws and graduated a year before, He's not exactly an oldster. He also played with Abiamiri.— Dennis Downey
- Landri started 16 games for the Panthers last year and played a shitload of downs. He had like 43 combined tacles and 3 sacks for a really bad defence. He played in college with Laws and graduated a year before, He's not exactly an oldster. He also played with Abiamiri.— Dennis Downey
- I've been reviewing the DT stats, frankly none of the DT average even one tackle a game. I don't see the defense getting better with the present Defensive Tackles on the roster.— Dexter
- charlie garner is right, Reid's regular season record looks good because the other NFL East teams have been lousy...The Cowboys, Giants and Redskins have been lousy....do you think Reid would have won many games against when Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith were on the Cowboys all those years..Reid became Eagles coach just when the other East teams were fading and rebuilding...but in the playoffs against GOOD PLAYOFF TEAMS in the division championships and Super Bowl, Andy Reid'd record is AWFUL...AWFUL.— frank105
- ^ Oops, "gentlemen".— JLB
- CharlieGarner25: "Just because Reid gets more wins then Rhodes doesnt mean he was a better coach."
--Most passionate, well-informed football fans in America, ladies and gentlmen.
— JLB - Yes, it's good to laugh at yourself! Something I'm certain comes very easy for you!— Johnnydeagle
- lol— CharlieGarner25
- Tool can't even get the name right, total loser!!! Sadly depressed loser! So sad!— Johnnydeagle
- lol, good one "Andy".— CharlieGarner25
- This garner tool is the biggest moron in the universe, LOL!!!— Johnnydeagle
- It is time to cut loose laws. What exactly does he bring that is better than Hargrove and Landri? Landri hs been a beast the whole preseason and earned himself a roster spot. Same for Parker, thanks for your service, but the bottom line is he's not much better than what the other guys will give us in a backup role. Cut as much expendable salary that you can because you're going to need if if you want to sign Desean and Vick.— Hes_Looking_Middle_In
- For the Andy Reid apologists on this board, let's be honest about his "accomplishments" over the past dozen years. Jim Johnson carried his large weight for most of those seasons and the NFC East teams were simply in downward spirals during that span. Yes, it's nice that we pick up our 10 wins a year, but we won't get over the hump with this coach. His disdain for a running game, his inability to adapt to game-day situations, his alarming trend of ignoring key pieces from one season to another (e.g. return game, linebackers, etc.), and his outdated West Coast offense are too much to overcome. I'd like to believe, but the Andy factor is simply too great to ignore.
Sorry, but charliegarner25 is right about the big fella. ESPN rankings? Oh, I'm impressed. - Ray Rhodes didnt win a SB, but NEITHER WILL ANDY REID. Just because Reid gets more wins then Rhodes doesnt mean he was a better coach. Rhodes knew defense and Reid was conveniently helped by inheriting some solid D guys from Rhodes when he came in. After those guys left Reid has been unable to replace guys like dawkins and trotter and you see the results each year. CRAPPY DRAFTING these last few years is what I see. really. not very good at all. look at all the name not even in the league anymore. no one has actually looked this up to refute the theory that Reid is a "draft genius" well I just did. and hes not.— CharlieGarner25
- charliegarner25 Reid is a idiot ? you throw a bone out to ray rhodes for drafting dawkins but what the hell did ray win with us ? Andy is the best coach the team has had and some of us are so smart we cant see it we question everything like some team would actually hire you for personnel decisions. I wonder how we have all these pro bowl appearances and been to the playoffs 9 of the last twelve years if Reid is so bad. by the way espn has him listed as a blue chip coach but im sure no one saw that. All philly fans would love to win a superbowl and get the proverbial monkey off our backs but we complain every year and every year we put a quality team on the field ....do we have weaknesses yes but every team does just ask the giants how they feel about their secondary .....— positive eagle
- CharlieGarner25
I am trying to follow your point, but I find it difficult. Do you include Lesean McCoy, Desean Jackson, Maclin (do I need anymore) in your assessment? I am willing to acknowledge that the Front Office had some misses but "BORDERLINE TERRIBLE" seems to be an idiotic view of the Eagles drafting over recent years.— rwilson065 - trade hanson, the whole right tackle situation has me nervous, te'o has shown absolutely zip on film, def. keep laws, & unfortunately cut hall!— first down
- Chad Hall is in until there's tabloid story about his REAL father being Andy Reid. Throwing a pass to this guy on a team so loaded is like saying Bobby Jones should have been the primary shooter on the Sixers championship team.— banned
- Yeah, utilizing a guy for about 5 plays a game where coverage often will not pay him attention would just be stupid....Get real...the guy's hands are pure...Where is this loaded core of recievers you speak of? The only true gamebreaking speed is Jacksons, and the rest are possession recievers who often lack separation skills. — bearsfriend
- more like 48 eagles roster questions. they have 5 solid starters in Vick, McCoy, Maclin on 0 and Assante and Asoumgha on D. Almost every other position is a question mark of some sort. Either undersized, inexperienced, or playing out of position. REID IS AN IDIOT. his drafting in the last few years has been BORDERLINE TERRIBLE. To replace dawkins, who RAY RHODES drafted and was coached by Jim Johnson, he now has gone through Quinten Demps, FAILURE, MAcho Harris, FAILURE, and Nate Allen, who is NOT LOOKING GOOD. REID HAS NOT BEEN a good drafter in teh last few years which is why they had to buy almost every FA available. the garbage Reid and/or Howie/banner picked was just that, GARBAGE that isnt even in the league anymore. REID WILL NEVER WIN THE SB. NEVER.— CharlieGarner25
- Nate Allen is not even 1 year away from a horrific knee injury. Some don't even come back from that type of injury. Prior to the injury, he was an outstanding rookie. "REID IS AN IDIOT. his drafting in the last few years has been BORDERLINE TERRIBLE." McCoy, Maclin, Patterson, Chaney, Jackson, Kolb (Got DRC), Celek, Avant, Coleman, etc. etc. etc. You are a typical Fair Weather Fan.
Name a team and coach who don't use FA to bolster their teams. Tell me who has made perfect drafts and has not had to use FA to make their team better.
— gsbatch1 - I agree with you soulman386, the Eagles must keep Trevor Laws, looking at the progress he has made since his rookie year it would be foolish to cut him. I think he and Cullen Jenkins could create a great pass rushing tandem.— Eaglehaslanded
- Trevor Laws is a good, young player. He and Cullen Jenkins would give them an excellent inside pass rush. Landri is a journeyman type player. Laws has much more upside.— soulman386
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