Projecting the Eagles' 53-man roster
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Projecting the Eagles' 53-man roster
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
With the fourth preseason game in the books, it's time to unveil the annual 53-man roster projection.
The Eagles will announce cuts by Saturday at 6 p.m. Here's who I see making it.
Quarterbacks (3): Michael Vick, Vince Young, Mike Kafka
This one was easy. Young looked comfortable Thursday night, completing 15 of 23 passes for 193 yards. We'll see how serious the hamstring injury is, but I've felt all along his talent and experience made him the reasonable choice to back up Vick. If Young had to play early in the season, it would be up to Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to mold the offense to his strengths.
Running backs (4): LeSean McCoy, Ronnie Brown, Owen Schmitt, Dion Lewis
This one is fairly straightforward also. I don't see Eldra Buckley stealing a spot just for special teams. Seeing the recent report that the Eagles put in a waiver claim for fullback Jerome Felton made me re-think Schmitt's job security. He was OK last year, but did not particularly stand out. Seventh-round pick Stanley Havili hasn't done much to warrant a roster spot. Lewis looked very good again Thursday night.
Wide receivers (5): DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Steve Smith, Riley Cooper
I don't think there's room for Chad Hall, Sinorice Moss or Johnnie Lee Higgins. Hall has looked much more comfortable in the offense this summer, but I don't see how he'd get on the field with the other weapons this team has. If the Eagles wanted to keep a sixth receiver to be a return man, Moss might have the edge. If they have questions about Maclin being ready or Smith's progress, a sixth receiver could sneak onto the roster, but I don't see it.
Tight ends (2): Brent Celek, Clay Harbor
The Eagles rarely go with two-TE sets so it doesn't make sense to keep Donald Lee. The veteran had some nice moments Thursday against the Jets, but he didn't do enough in the last month to steal a spot from Harbor.
Offensive linemen (10): Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Danny Watkins, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, King Dunlap, Reggie Wells, Julian Vandervelde, Winston Justice
Given the recent shakeup, this was a difficult one. I'm not sure the Eagles really need to keep 10 linemen. Reid has been saying for weeks that Justice is close to returning, but he still hasn't practiced. Does that mean the PUP list is still a possibility? If that happens, it would open up a spot elsewhere. After serving as the team's starting center a year ago, Mike McGlynn has not looked good at guard and is gone. And considering he just had surgery last week, Ryan Harris is off too.
Defensive linemen (10): Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Juqua Parker, Darryl Tapp, Antonio Dixon, Mike Patterson, Trevor Laws, Cullen Jenkins, Anthony Hargrove, Philip Hunt
This was by far the most difficult group to decide on. At defensive end, I gave Hunt the edge over Daniel Te'o-Nesheim. He's just played better during camp and in the preseason. The Eagles have to be excited about giving Jim Washburn more time to work with Hunt. Te'o-Nesheim is really only a difficult decision because he was a third-round pick in 2010, but that still needs to factor in. Parker could get cut, but I felt he was too productive a player to let go. I'm also assuming here that Brandon Graham starts the season on PUP.
At defensive tackle, it really came down to Hargrove and Derek Landri, the two new guys added earlier this offseason. I don't think Laws' spot came down to how he played against the Jets. He's been in the Eagles' organization for three years and showed ability as an interior pass rusher last year. Landri would probably be my 54th man if there were an extra spot. I'm sure the coaches love his motor, but I just couldn't find a way to keep him on the roster. Hargrove played defensive tackle with the first team ahead of Landri earlier this preseason when Patterson was out, and Hargrove can play end also. That gave him the edge.
Linebackers (5): Casey Matthews, Jamar Chaney, Moise Fokou, Brian Rolle, Keenan Clayton
I'm throwing a curveball here and have the Birds going light. I don't think the Eagles will start the season with only five linebackers, but I have Akeem Jordan getting cut initially. Jordan can play all three linebacker positions, but he hasn't played any of them really well in awhile. His value is on special teams. If Matthews were to go down, the Eagles could go with Chaney in the middle. And I wouldn't be surprised if they scanned the waiver wire for a linebacker before Week 1. But, for now, Jordan is off.
Cornerbacks (6): Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Brandon Hughes, Curtis Marsh, Trevard Lindley
I'm operating under the assumption that Joselio Hanson gets traded. That leaves room for Hughes, Marsh and Lindley. The Eagles spent draft picks on Lindley and Marsh the past two seasons. I don't think they want to part ways with either. And Hughes might be the best equipped of the three to play right now. He's had some good moments on special teams in punt coverage too.
Safeties (5): Kurt Coleman, Nate Allen, Jarrad Page, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Colt Anderson
The four spots are clear-cut, and I think Anderson sneaks on the roster. If it's between keeping Anderson, Jordan or a sixth receiver, I think Anderson wins out. He's going to have an impact on the game every week on special teams. Keeping five safeties probably seems like too many, but I look at Anderson as a specialist. It's true that there will be fewer kickoff returns, but they won't be gone completely, and there are punt returns also. The Eagles can't ignore that part of the game, and they can't ignore the impact Anderson had last season.
Specialists (3): Alex Henery, Chas Henry, Jon Dorenbos
Nothing to add here.
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i don't see them keeping jamaal over mcglynn. they aren't into paying more for less. if they didn't care about cap space, maybe. JJ doesn't fit mudd's mold at all. JJ is probably their best starting center, but coaches like what they like. kafka clearly is the better #2 QB. but they will try to build up young for flipping for picks. the rest of the list is pretty much set, but we'll get one or two suprise cuts on the DL or OL, and they'll probably get a waived LB out there somewhere.— Evilvet- Landri will and should make it. maybe they keep only 5 conners, Laws or Parker gets cut. I don't get the love affair with laws. he has showed nothing over 3 years. The time to win is now. I also see nothing in Clay Harbor. I rather seethe veteran in Donald Lee.— NickM
- Sheil, I like the projection, but I'm wondering who is going the returner is in ths group. I'm assuming it is Dion Lewis. Can he handle punt return duties? They probably use Desean situationally. Secondly, I think Juqua Parker gets cut in favor of Landri. His cap hit is too much for a situational rusher. They'll probably get enough from Jenkins and Hargrove to maintain until Graham gets back from PUP. Not too sure Lindley makes it either. Thanks for the good work.— Eagles Fan in NY
- What a disparity. So MUCH talent at receiver and corner and so LITTLE talent along the O-line and at LB. Makes it hard to guess how good this team will be.— jpk
- u wanna check that line again? jason peters, todd herremans are pro powlers even tho herremans never made one. watkins was a first rounder so the talent is there, kelce looked very good in the run game and mudd can develop him. Mathis is a vet that we don't know about. Not the best but so little? I don't think so. — beerflow
- I have to disagree with the assessment that they have no talent on the O-line. Peters is a beast, and D-tackles cry all the time about how Herremans mauls them, he will beat some speed rushers up, watch for it. They do have some young players inside, but they can move so that helps the short passes and runs gain more yardage by providing downfield blocks that guys like Jean-Gilles, Jackson and N.Cole never provided. On defense it is true that if you game plan to grind it out, you probably will be able to do that. The question is can you outscore the Eagles playing like that? Pittsburg showed they can, but there are not a lot of teams like Pittsburgh out there. I am sure the division teams will try it, and it will work at least once for somebody. I see this team winning 12 or more and making a real run at the title. They are far more talented and deeper everywhere than last seasons squad. The eventual champion Packers were damn lucky to win the playoff game against the Eagles and only did so because Akers missed a bunch of FGs. I think the biggest addition is not getting enough notice. Ronnie Brown is the inside runner they have lacked, Short yardage situations are no longer an achilles heel. The
defense gets to rest longer because they can sustain long drives now. I see brown playing in some 2 back sets that will make it impossible to cover everyone and account for Vick. This team is going to light it up on the scoreboard. I think they will score 40 at least 4 times this season, look out Rams!— Paul SoTX - Vince Young is a proven NFL Winner and a two time Pro Bowl participant. Where are the stats to compare Kafka's NFL Career Acomplishments with Young's accomplishments? That seems a ridiculous statement grounded in delusion. Let me get this off my chest as well, Celek has to stop dropping the ball and give a better effort at maintaining his blocking assignments. Celek has a good season two years ago, but last year he dropped to many balls to be a main stay in the Eagles offense. One the Defensive Line, Stats rule and the Eagles Tackles all have sub par Tackles for 2010 and dismal sack totals. The Eagles are not bringing in a high price Tackle, the cost of another tackle the caliber of Peters would be in the 9 Million a year range, Herremans is the perfect solution with his size, attitude and agility. The Rookies will be sufficient and by game 5 dominate at their positions. I think the Eagles have the Perfect opening for Watkins and Kelec, Atlanta and the Rams on the road. How can you assess the Linebackers given the weak Defensive Tackle play in front of the Eagles Linebackers? Patrick Willis in San Fran, has Justin Smith playing directly in front of him, Ray Lewis in Baltimore has Haloti Ngata, Henry Melton beat out Tommy Harris in Chicago who now frees up Brian Urlacher... How can you access the Eagles Linebackers without a Tackle that's comparable to the tackles playing in front of other noted linebackers?— Dexter
- Paul, I agree with you straight down the board 100%. The Division Foes will run the ball, but the Eagles are built and have always been to get early leads and with a early lead you can not run the ball and stay in the game with the Eagle. The longer the drive against the Eagles, the more rested the Eagles speed burners to press your defense. Celek is going to have to produce in games the Eagles find themselves behind. Shady in the flat, on screens, and Smith working the middle of the field will give the Eagles weapons we haven't seen operating in between the hash marks since Westbrook. Desean and Maclin are great stretching the field, but they are not crossing route receivers. One the short game bring up the safeties with Shady's Running, the 9 route is open. Nobody in the league can play Desean and Maclin 30 yards down field without some kind of help.
My only concern for the year is the Saints short game come the playoffs. But I like the speed of the Linebackers and still have a concern about the gut of the defensive line. We are going to give up a ton of running yards, but the Eagles should not be scored on nearly as much as in 2010.
— Dexter - Game 1... Eagles 34 Rams 17— Dexter
I think we're going to see some surprising cuts to reach 53. One cut that wouldn't surprise me would be Celek. Haven't seen him block well or catch many passes lately. Wonder what his cap hit is?— OldBill1934- I don't know. I could see Hall over Smith at WR, or maybe keeping 6 because Smith and Maclin haven't played. He reminds me of Mahe + Thrash, hard working scrappers. Maybe keep Lee as a blocker since the OLine isn't solid yet. I don't see 10 OLs, nor have I seen much from Mathis, Wells, or Dunlap. I don't see all 3 making it. I agree that Hunt has been better than Te'o-Nesheim, but I don't know about 10 here either, except that a couple guys can do some LB duties. I think Jordan makes it too.— T
- Fill a glaring need...find a head coach— mccloudmj
- Linebacker is major problem. Harris is now available from Bears-could Howie pull off a trade to include Parker and Hanson?— thechief
- I would bet that Jamaal Jackson and Juqua Parker, along with Joselio Hanson, are cut or traded. I believe those three are something like $7 mil in cap space...too much for reserves/part-timers. That money will then be used to extend DeSean and pick up a vet LB...like Lofa Tatupu??? Also, 6 receivers...Moss or Hall being #6. Smith won't dress for the first 2-3 games.— jmk1512
- Jarrett isn't ready to play in the NFL. Not since he lost all that weight eating at Subway.— dragoon6
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