Potential Final Roster
- From: "Corey Simon Ogre" <coreythegreek@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:12:58 -0400
Eagles want `special' backups
Monday, August 22, 2005
By MARK ECKEL
Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA - Special teams will matter.
As Eagles head coach Andy Reid, personnel man Tom Heckert and the coaching
staff go over the team's roster, the more a backup can do, the better his
chances become at making the team.
"Every year certain guys make our team because of special teams," Reid said
after Saturday night's preseason win in Baltimore. "It's very important,
especially when you're taking about those backup positions."
That's where the decision will come - the backup spots. Halfway through the
preseason, Reid still has over 80 players on the roster. First cuts will
come a week from Tuesday when the roster will be pared to 65, and before the
regular season starts, it will be at 53.
There are as many as eight spots still to be decided.
Here's a quick look at who has it made, who is close and who has no shot.
The number in parenthesis is the likely number they will keep at each
position:
Quarterbacks (3) Locks: Donovan McNabb.
Good Bets: Koy Detmer, Mike McMahon.
Longshot: Andy Hall.
Analysis: This is set for the most part. McMahon is looking like a very good
offseason move.Running Backs (5) Locks: Brian Westbrook, Ryan Moats.
Good Bet: Reno Mahe.
On the Bubble: Correll Buckhalter, Bruce Perry, Jon Ritchie, Josh Parry.
Longshot: Thomas Tapeh.
Analysis: Interesting decisions to be made here, and don't be surprised if a
veteran isn't added after cuts are made. Buckhalter's health is the key.
He's with Dr. James Andrews today in Birmingham. Mahe is one of those
players helped by special-teams play. Parry and Ritchie are as close as you
can get for the fullback job. Tapeh will be on injured reserve.
Tight Ends (3) Locks: L.J. Smith, Mike Bartrum.
Good Bet: None.
On the Bubble: Steven Spach, Andy Thorn, James Whalen.
Analysis: Spach, the best blocker, has seemed to have risen above the other
two in playing time and is on all the special teams units. Don't count out
Thorn, however, who at worst will be on the practice squad.
Wide Receivers (5) Locks: Greg Lewis, Reggie Brown.
Good Bets: Terrell Owens, Billy McMullen.
On the Bubble: Carlos Perez.
Longshots: Justin Jenkins, Chauncey Stovall, Jared Jones, Issac West, Robert
Redd, Chris Samp.
Analysis: As long as Owens is under control, the team might be able to get
by with four young receivers. If not, it's mandatory to go out and get a
veteran (Andre Davis, Cleveland). They may anyway. Jenkins' injury Saturday
night could end his chances. Redd could make the practice squad.
Offensive Line (9-10) Locks: Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan, Shawn Andrews, Hank
Fraley, Artis Hicks.
Good Bets: Todd Herremans, Calvin Armstrong, Adrien Clarke.
On the Bubble: Steve Sciullo, Jamaal Jackson, Trey Darilek, Scott Young,
Dominic Furio.
Longhsots: Drew Strojny, Branden Hall.
Analysis: Armstrong, a sixth-round pick, played well Saturday night and
looks like Runyan's backup. Herremans took a step back, but still should
make the team. Clarke appears to have the edge as the inside backup. That
last spot or two will be tough. The team would like to put Young on the
practice squad, but might not get him through waivers.
Defensive Line (9-10) Locks: Jevon Kearse, N.D. Kalu, Corey Simon, Darwin
Walker, Hollis Thomas, Sam Rayburn, Mike Patterson.
Good Bets: Hugh Douglas, Juqua Thomas.
On the Bubble: Paul Grasmanis, Keyonta Marshall, Trent Cole, Jerome
McDougle.
Longshots: Jamaal Green, Norm Heuer, Darrell Lee.
Analysis: Green has fallen off because of injury and lack of production and
likely will be waived. Douglas has the edge for a backup end spot because of
his experience and locker room savvy. Juqua Thomas has played well, but the
coaches like Cole, too. They may have to keep five ends. McDougle probably
will start the season on a reserve list. Marshall is headed to the practice
squad, if he can get there.
Linebackers (7) Locks: Jeremiah Trotter, Dhani Jones, Keith Adams, Mark
Simoneau.
Good Bets: Matt McCoy, Jason Short, Martin Patterson.
On the Bubble: Mike Labinjo, Greg Richmond.
Longshot: David Bergeron.
Analysis: Richmond's back injury cost him a chance even to compete. McCoy
makes it only because he was a second-round pick and already got $1.25
million in a signing bonus. Short has improved defensively and is the team's
top special-teams player. Patterson has been too good to cut.
Secondary (9) Locks: Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Lito Sheppard, Sheldon
Brown, Rod Hood, Matt Ware.
Good Bets: Dexter Wynn, Sean Considine, Quintin Mikell.
On the Bubble: None.
Longshots: Linj Shell, Aric Williams, Jeremy Thornburg, Corey Peoples, J.R.
Reed.
Analysis: Wynn's ankle injury, if it's worse than thought, could cause a
spot to open. Otherwise, this is set.
Kickers (2) Locks: David Akers, Dirk Johnson.
Longshots: Mark Mariscal, Jimmy Kibble.
Analysis: If Johnson isn't ready for the opener, Akers could punt against
Atlanta. The team can't afford to keep two punters and waste a roster spot.
NOTE:
http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/112469811245930.xml&;
coll=5&thispage=1
.
- Prev by Date: Offense Needs to be More Consistent?
- Next by Date: Eagles Can Learn from Shaq Kobe
- Previous by thread: Offense Needs to be More Consistent?
- Next by thread: Eagles Can Learn from Shaq Kobe
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
