Is there a “Comeback Player of the Year” on the 2013 Philadelphia Eagles or perhaps a Scrub or a Dud? Is there a player or players on the roster who is going to be that underachiever you expected them to be? Three people come to mind, maybe four when I think about players on this team who just haven’t – for one reason or another – lived up expectations. You know, the players you said are… who you thought they were? You just might be right.
Let’s start with everyone’s favorite Quarterback, Michael Vick. Love him or hate him Vick was a big reason for the Eagles playoff run in 2010 after replacing a concussed Kevin Kolb and expectations only grew from there. But cheers have been few since the Eagles stumbled to a surprising “Vick-led” 8-8 season in 2011 only to follow that up with a last place 4-12 campaign last season. Granted MV7 wasn’t responsible for the last five or six losses giving way by injury (or another reason) to rookie Nick Foles.
It may not even be fair to place Vick in this conversation since he has had success and acclaim during his 12 year career but he does have a chance, a last chance to prove he can excel in Chip Kelly’s system. He only needs to speak less, stop arguing the fact that he holds the ball to long and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with to earn his second Come Back Player of the Year Award (2010).
Then there’s the former second round selection in the 2010 draft, Free Safety Nate Allen who I expected to blossom following a pretty good rookie season that sadly ended in a knee injury. He hasn’t shown me anything substantial since winning Rookie of the Month for September that year. The draft pick that was supposed to make us (some of us) feel better about the Donovan McNabb trade so far hasn’t panned out.
Pair Allen with Kurt Coleman, who I thought would turn into steal in round seven of the same draft hasn’t turned the right heads in Philly. A big hitter, Coleman hasn’t proved he can cover anyone consistently.
And then there’s the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2011 Draft, Guard and Canadian fireman Danny Watkins. While a good lineman at Baylor, Watkins began his quest for NFL stardom a little too late (in my opinion) at 26 years old. You always hold out hope that “our” guy can be the exception but… nope! Watkins has a chance to rebound this year or be one of the biggest 1st Round busts in team history.
Some or perhaps even all of these guys may be gone by week one. If Vick doesn’t do something amazing in the remaining OTA’s and in Training Camp, Allen probably has the best shot to stick. So, these are my few… do you agree? Who do you put on that list?
I would add Trent Cole, Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry to your list Mylow as fas a make/break Camp and Seasons go for them.. ‘I believe all 3 Can still Play in the NFL, just not sure if the new 3-4 Scheme that DC Davis will employ will suit these Players very well..
My 2 surprise Veteran Cuts will be ILB DeMeco Ryans and OLB Trent Cole
and on Offense, I see Jason Avant and Brett Celek as potential Cuts
Also QB Mike Vick (which goes without sayin’)
Couldn’t disagree with much in the article…however, I don’t know if I’d consider Allen, Coleman, and Watkins veterans yet, they don’t play like veterans, partly because I don’t think they were developed properly…I agree they haven’t done much of anything consistently…I’ve been wishing Coleman out of town for 2 years. Like how he tries to be aggressive, but I hate it also…he’s giving up numerous TD’s in safety help, from being to aggressive, either on pass or big plays on run…I still can’t get that one play out of my head, when he go trucked and his helmet was knocked off…same with Nate, but talent wise, if I had to choose one, it would be Nate. Production wise? both can go…Riley Cooper as well.
Celek is most def a veteran, was #3 in the league in dropped passes last season, out of TE’s. Won’t be a surprise if he is cut or moved. But won’t be surprised if he is kept either. Demeco Ryans I don’t think is going anywhere this upcoming season.
Watkins will be cut and will go down as the worst draft pick in eagles history
I think Watkins, Coleman, Allen and Avant will be cut. If Vick doesn’t win the QB job he’ll be cut. Celek I think will be safe since Chip will have 5 TE’s on the final roster. I also think either Cole or Graham will be cut but not both. I actually like Riley Cooper but I think he’ll be let go as well.
You can add DT Antonio Dixon, LB’s Jamar Cheney and Casey Matthews to the list as well..
Biggy, no way do I see 5 TE’s on the Roster, what Position do you cut on Offense to be able to carry 5 TE’s ..
I see 3 TE’s (Celek,Casey & Ertz) with Casey lining up as DB quite often
I was being just a little facetious paulman just a little LOL. I think he’ll carry 4 though.
Brandon Graham, Trent Cole, Nate Allen, Antonio Dixon, Conner Barwin, Casey Matthews, Matt Barkley, Evan Mathis, Todd Herramanns, Lane Johnson, Brandon Hughes, Trevard Lindley, Howie Roseman, and the Defensive Coordinator………………
Cliff I knew Howie would make your list. Hahahahaha.
Add Vick, Lurie, Swoop & the beer vendor & the list is complete!
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
I saw someone mention Brent Celek as a possible surprise cut at some point. I was thinking the other day that I’d actually prefer to see Clay Harbor stay over Celek. He’s younger, faster, more athletic and seemingly has more to offer as an offensive threat IMHO. I knowthat he offers very little as a blocker but Celek is by no means a road grater.
Pretty spot on from my perspective Mylow. Some people keep bringing up Trent Cole, but personally I think it’s more likely that if he just can’t cover they find a way to make him work at the left D-End spot some kind of way. You just don’t give away pass rushers when you don’t have any realistic options to fill in that role on your team.
I think RIley Cooper is probably gone too, with Momah in camp I just get the sense he’s a player Chip Kelly recruited for years without success and finally got him. I suspect Dixon will stay, even if he only shows flashes because of his size. Jamar Chaney and Matthews are probably done. Watkins seems to be a favorite of the O-Line coach so I don’t see him going anywhere any time soon and he could rebound to have a good year. Unless Allen just sucks in every phase of the scheme I don’t see him getting cut anytime soon. It will be interesting to see how Kenny Phillips and Patrick Chung work out. Without some more epic ballhawking heroics Coleman will be out and maybe even with them he’ll be out. If Kelly sticks with the idea of running a lot of two tights formations I can easily see them keeping 4 TEs with Casey as the TE coming out of the backfield.
Vinnie, Jakedog, DCar, gmcliff, paulman, Eaglessuck,
mhenski, stevo and Realtalk are all also on the bubble
They should Go
And Songs refuses to attend OTA’s something about the smoothies being offered are laced w/vaccines….so he’s gone as well
LOL
LOL why am I getting cut?
What about TsJohnson
She was already named to Practice Squad by Roseman…
Songs refused the “Tetnus Shot” they gave out first day of OTA’s,
Chip Kelly sent his Ass Packing..
Lol
Up yours GLI! I ain’t going anywhere! You are stuck with me. Deal with it! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!