Next Tuesday is the last day of August. It will also be the last day five players will put on an Eagles uniform as each team in the NFL has to cut its roster from 80 to 75.
The first cut day is usually no surprised because the guys who are released had no real chance to make the team in the first place.
While the Eagles are getting ready for Preseason Game No. 3 in Kansas City against the Chiefs, I can’t help but think of the number five.
Which five players have surprisingly stepped up and pretty much secured themselves a spot on the 53 man roster?
With the starters playing the majority of the game at Arrowhead Stadium, who are the guys who need to make a strong impression in the preseason finale against the New York Jets to warrant just a little consideration?
Here’s my take….
Five who made it
1. Dimitri Patterson-CB: The Eagles normally keep five cornerbacks and Patterson is definitely going to be one of them. Not only will he provide needed depth at the position, he’s proving to be better on the outside than nickel back Joselio Hanson if the starters get hurt.
2. Austin Howard-T: I’m sure one objective the Eagles had this offseason was to not have to slide Todd Herremans out to left tackle if Jason Peters goes down. I’m not saying Howard will be that guy, but his work so far will earn him the opportunity.
3. Keenan Clayton-LB: Clayton isn’t starting anytime soon, but the 4th round pick out from Oklahoma is making the best of his opportunities. He’s listed on the depth chart as the third strong linebacker but I think he’ll end up backing up Ernie Sims on the weakside.
4. Trevor Laws-DT: I don’t if it was the healthy scratches last season or the drafting of Jeff Owens. Whatever it was that motivated Laws (drafted two spots ahead of DeSean Jackson), he’s making it almost impossible for the Eagles to move on without him.
5. Mike McGlynn-G/C: The injuries to Jamaal Jackson and Nick Cole have given McGlynn a lot of reps at center and he’s done a good job. Drafted as a guard out of Pitt, the Eagles have something to think about when Jackson returns if Stacy Andrews doesn’t improve.
Five players likely out of here
1. Chad Hall-WR/KR: The biggest thing mentioned about Hall when the Eagles signed him was his versatility. With the receivers in front of him, Hall needed to be dominant in the return game to warrant keeping him. Averaging 18.5 yards on kickoff returns and 4 yards on punt returns isn’t going to cut it.
2. Quintin Demps-S/KR: With Nate Allen and Quintin Mikell slated as the starting safetys and Kurt Coleman showing he can be a quality backup, Demps special teams play will be the determining factor on keeping him. His penchant for boneheaded penalties and mediocre kickoff returning will have him gone by Labor Day weekend.
3. A.Q. Shipley-C: I was rooting for Shipley to be given a chance at the center spot, but that obviously didn’t happen. Aside from the guys in front of him, Shipley hasn’t been the healthiest player this preseason. Don’t be surprised to see him on the practice squad.
4. J.J. Arrington-RB: The smartest thing about the Eagles trading for Arrington was ensuring they still get some compensation (2012 6th round pick) from Denver if he doesn’t make it to the preseason. Even after he was healthy enough, I don’t think Arrington has played one snap.
5. Jeff Owens-DT: If the purpose of drafting Owens was to motivate Laws, he’s done one heck of a job. Barring an injury or unlikely trade of Laws, Owens will be signed to the practice squad.
Aside from the Eagles roster, I hope a blocking tight end becomes available on Tuesday. Enjoy tonight’s game and may the Eagles score a red zone touchdown!
GO EAGLES!!!
Good stuff and analysis Haran,
If Demps does not make the Roster, who do you think is the 4th Safety…
Where’s does Macho Harris fit in, do you think he makes the roster,
How about M Fokou at LB…and the 5th WR spot on the line too…
wait so if demps is out who becomes our late hit specialist?
Still have M Fokou to get the penalties on the Special Teams unit…
Fokou or Gaither don’t make it. Could both go? That would leave a lot of youth on special teams and the depth chart.
Gaither makes the team. So far, the only people I’ve seen – anywhere – suggest that he doesn’t are Pualman and other random fans who just feel that way. Who is longer tenured on the current LB corp? Who knows the schemes better (other than starters), he plays STs and he can backup Mike or Will. I don’t know what they’ll do with Tracy White, Fokou, Cheney, Clayton, etc…. but I HIGHLY doubt the would cut Gaither. It just doesn’t make any sense.
i agree with schiller no way in hell gaither dosent make this team!! Stewart goes down whos next to play the position. GAITHER!
LB Corps for 2010 Eagles (Total of 7 Players)
ILB – Bradley, Gaither (Cheney to Practice Squad)
OLB – Sims,Jordan,Clayton,Fokou & White
I think this is it
i like omar gaither he is ok
i think he’s a great back up or an adequate starter
Bye bye Quintin “Little Deon” Demps…its about time.
disappointed for Shipley – thought he would put up more of a fight –
What about King Dunlap? He still gonna be around
Hey Navy
I think a lot depends on how Stacey Anderews performs the next game or 2,
If he continues to play poorley and get beat consistentely, then he may bea a goner which would open the door for a Dunlap to be that last Lineman to make it.. Right now I have it at 9 O/L
Peters,Herremans,Jackson,Cole,MJG,Justice,McGlynn,A Howard are 8 for sure..
If Stacey continues to flounder, then he’s a goner and Dunlap/Topou make it, If Andrews plays well then he will be the 9th O/L and Topou is PRactice Squad and Dunalp is probably waived/released
G mentioned on the radio a while back that the team kind of thinks that Dunlap’s progress has leveled off. Great physical specimen, prototypical LT, but has not turned into what they had hoped for. I do not think he will be around much longer. Ray D likes Shipley a bunch, but he just could not stay healthy, thought he had a shot to play and play well. It would be nice to have a non-project center to fill in for JJackson and back him up. McGlynn is really a guard, N Cole too.
Umm…the Packers are in mid-season form..the Eagles had best score some goddamn TD’s tonight or week 1 is going to be an epic ass-kicking for the youngsters.
Austin Howard is turning out to be the player the Birds hoped Dunlap would be. Dunlap and Fokou both seem to be on their way out. As for OL b/u’s – McGlynn will stay because of the dire situation at center but HE IS NOT a solution. Definitely looked overmatched against a good DL like the Bengals. As did Jean-Gilles and Andrews. VERY SHAKEY interior OL. And frankly, I believe Peters is a fraud. As the physical tools to dominate and yet does so only occasionally. A big disappointment. At least when Shawn Andrews was healthy, he was more consistently dominant.
This OL could well cost the Birds a playoff shot.
Touchdown #1 !!!!!! Finally!
Ya know what?..Jason Peters is a big fat idiot.
…..and apparently Maclin cant handle the number 1 spot..and the right side of the O line is pathetic..
When will Eaglesnation realize the real problem with the Philadelphia Eagles was never Donovan McNabb. The current head coach and his entire staff sucks. Just take a moment to understand why the Eagles have not won a superbowl yet…Andy Reid and the front office have yet to understand that size and speed and a power running game is what todays NFL is. We bring in Ernie Sims who weighs what 230 Lbs at will backer??? then we give Stacy andrews 30 mil for what??? Andy reid says Jason peters is the best LT in the game??? this may be true is Andy reid ran the ball behind him more. Our best player Desean jackson is what 5′ 9″ 175 you have got to be kidding. as good as desean is, if your best player is this small it is going to be a long year. remember in all the past Drafts Andy reid kept drafting all these offensive linemen where the hell are they now??? This team will never win a superbowl with this type of thinking. MARK MY WORD ON THIS.
Yeah and Kolb didn’t look too hot. 29 yards in the first half. Our receivers are fragile. Everyone was talking about how explosive this offense is going to be now. Well I’m still waiting. Yes, it’s on the preseason but the games don’t get easier in the regular season. Starting to make 8-8 look about right.
Also, this is going to be an ongoing problem for Jackson with Kolb as QB. We all know how accurate Kolb is supposed to be and how he will hit receivers in stride. So that means more short and intermediate passes where Jackson will get hit a lot more. When McNabb was the QB, Jackson wasn’t going to get hit as much because most of Jackson’s routes were down field because of McNabb’s arm and his lack of accuracy for short passes. The “more accurate” QB is both a blessing and curse.
I’ve stated that the Eagles will struggle more on the Offensive side until this O/Line gets heatlhy and plays a coupe of games together, I still think Stacey Andrews will get demoted and possibly even cut, he is clearly not a Starting caliber O/lineman and they are not going to pay him that big salary to be a back-up Guard.. Once Jackson returns to Center, N Cole/MJG and even McGlynn, are all more capable than Stacey Andrews at RG…
Now to the WR’s that the Phila Media and many fans have been ga-ga over.. This unit is good, but not a great, when they play teams with physical big CB’s (like the Packers,Cowboys,Giants,49ers, Giants,49ers,Redksins,Falcons have) D-Jax and Maclin are not physical enough to get separation and they will struggle definitely in the Red-Zone where the open field is much smaller to operate..
Unless the usey the TE’s and the bigger WR’s (Cooper/Washington/Baskett) in the Red-Zone,
they will struggle to score TD for we all know that the Eagles have never been good at rushing the the ball within theRed-Zone during the Reid Area (outside of the Duce Staley days)
This team needs a offensive makeover, get rid of AR and MartyIwearawig