Now that Training Camp is under way and we have gotten some reports on how the players are doing, it's time to update my predictions of who will make the Eagles roster. With the first exhibition game coming on Friday, a lot can still change, but this is how things seem to be shaping up so far. Below my roster projection I have also listed several players who are on the bubble and I gave reasons why they might not make the final roster. There aren't a lot, but changes from my previous projection are listed in bold.
Offense:
QB(3): Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick, Mike Kafka
RB(3): LeSean McCoy, Mike Bell, Eldra Buckley
FB (1): Leonard Weaver
WR(5): DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, Riley Cooper
TE(3): Brent Celek, Cornelius Ingram, Clay Harbor
LT(2): Jason Peters, Austin Howard
LG(2): Todd Herremans, Max Jean-Gilles
C(2): Nick Cole, Mike McGlynn
RG(2): Stacy Andrews, Fenuki Tupou
RT(2): Winston Justice, King Dunlap
Defense:
DE(5): Trent Cole, Brandon Graham, Juqua Parker, Darryl Tapp, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim
DT(4): Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson, Trevor Laws, Antonio Dixon
LB(7): Stewart Bradley, Ernie Sims, Akeem Jordan, Moise Fokou, Omar Gaither, Keenan Clayton, Tracy White
CB(5): Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, Joselio Hanson, Macho Harris, Trevard Lindley
FS(2): Nate Allen, Quintin Demps
SS(2): Quintin Mikell, Kurt Coleman
Special Teams:
K(1): David Akers
P(1): Sav Rocca
LS(1): Jon Dorenbos
Likely to start season on injured list: Jamaal Jackson, Victor Abiamiri
Jackson will hopefully be back at starting center by midseason. Abiamiri hasn't practiced yet and seems destined for another stint on the IR.
Players on the bubble:
RB: J.J. Arrington, Charles Scott
Eldra Buckley's special teams abilities give him a big advantage at making the squad over Arrington and Scott. The fact that Arrington is already nicked up and that Scott is listed as a fullback on the latest depth chart aren't good signs for their chances.
WR: Kelley Washington, Jordan Norwood, Chad Hall
The Eagles always seem to have a lot of depth at wide receiver in training camp so some quality players always get the axe. I put Washington just slightly behind Hank Baskett in their battle for the last receiver spot. If the Eagles do choose to keep 6 receivers, Norwood is probably next in line. Chad Hall, while an exciting player, appears to be destined for the practice squad.
TE: Nate Lawrie
Lawrie was brought in after Martin Rucker was cut but will only make the team if Cornelius Ingram can't get himself healthy.
OL: Dallas Reynolds, A.Q, Shipley, Jeraill McCuller
Howard has been very impressive in camp so he looks poised to make the team over Reynolds. Shipley and McCuller will probably be practice squad players.
DL: Ricky Sapp, Jeff Owens
By all accounts, Sapp hasn't looked good in training camp. Perhaps they can stash him on the IR and see if he can live up to his potential next season.
LB: Jamar Chaney, Simoni Lawrence
After ridding themselves of Alex Hall and Joe Mays and the addition of Tracy White, the Eagles linebacker picture looks much clearer. With how good White is on special teams, he's going to make the team, meaning the Eagles will likely go with 7 linebackers.
CB: Dimitri Patterson, Geoff Pope
It looks like it's down to Patterson vs. Trevard Lindley for the final DB spot. Look for the rookie, who was a total steal in the 4th round, to get the nod.
S: Antoine Harris
Harris is a distant third in the strong safety battle between Nate Allen and Quintin Demps.
P: Ken Parrish
Still gotta give the edge to the incumbent.
That's the team as I see it. Did I leave anyone off? Who needs to be cut? Discuss in the comments section.
This team needs to cut Hank "Hands" Baskett, he stinks!! Kelly Washington is a good backup reciever and a proven ST's player!!
ReplyDeletedecent predictions, i disagree mainly with some though. Dimitri patterson has out performed Macho this preseason, and Kelly Washington is a much greater receiving asset to the club than Baskett. Chaney has been superb at linebacker, and the notion of taking Fokou, who has been pretty weak this Training camp or Gaither over him seems ludocris.
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