The Eagles will have to make some tough decisions on the offensive line with regards to the backups. They tend to favor versatility amongst the backups.
Let’s take a look at some of the difficult offensive roster decisions:
Offensive Line (9) – Todd Herremans, Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Danny Watkins, Evan Mathis, Winston Justice, King Dunlap, Jamaal Jackson, Reggie Wells – They’ve got to keep Jackson even though he’s not a favorite of Howard Mudd’s. They need experience and versatility amongst the backups, so Dunlap is here because he can play on the left or right side. Wells will get the nod over Julian Vandevelde because he can play both guard and tackle. The draft pick will be put on the practice squad. There’s an outside chace they go with Mike McGlynn over Jackson because of his versatility but I doubt it because McGlynn isn’t a Mudd-type of offensive lineman. He’s got more size than quickness and athletic ability.
Quarterbacks – Michael Vick, Vince Young, Mike Kafka (3) – The only decisions that need to be made will take place if Vick were to go down. Do you go with Young or Kafka? Other than the backup quarterback battle the major decisions are done.
Running Backs – LeSean McCoy, Ronnie Brown, Dion Lewis, Owen Schmitt (4) – Lewis has run away with the third running back position. He won the job going away, but the Eagles will have to make a decision about Eldra Buckley. He’s a tremendous special teams player, but he hasn’t done anything as a running back, which will probably get him released.
Wide Receivers – DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Steve Smith, Riley Cooper (5) – I’m wondering how the Eagles are going to 
utilize Smith and Avant when Smith gets healthy. Will they stay with Avant as the number one slot receiver or will they gradually work Smith into that spot? I expect the Birds to make use of Smith, Avant and Cooper in the red zone, especially. The only question here is whether they will hang onto versatile backup Chad Hall. He knows this offense very well, but the addition of Smith might mean he leaves.
Tight Ends – Brent Celek, Clay Harbor, Donald Lee (3) – Harbor is a lock to be here and is already a very good receiver, but Lee is just as good. Lee might be a better blocker right now, but Harbor has been showing signs of improvement. I think they’ll keep both of them because they’ll be able to contribute on special teams. Cornelius Ingram is finally healthy and would have been able to make the team for the past couple of years if he had been this healthy, but he won’t make the club this year. He may be able to find himself a spot somewhere else around the league.
Paulman’s Eagles Roster for Offense (25 PLayers)
OL – (9) Peters, Mathis, Kelce, Watkins, Herremans, and reserves Dunlap,McGlynn,Vandervelde,Wells . WJ starts on PUP list ,Jackson is released . Once WJ is 100%, then he comes back to RT and Herremans moves back to LG, (McGlynn is kept over Jackson since he can play C & G and is in better shape that Jackson though Mudd is not a big fan of neither)
QB – (3) Vick,Kafka & VY (Kafka starts as the #2 the first month of the Season as VY continues to learn the Eagles system)
RB – (3) McCoy, R Brown and D Lewis (Buckley released)
FB – (1) Schmitt (Draft pick S Havilli to the Practice squad)
TE – (3) Celek,HArbor & Lee (Ingram released and M Webb to Practice squad)
WR – (6) D-Jax,Maclin,Smith,Cooper,Avant & Hall
(Hall may be needed as Maclin/SMith get back up to speed, once WJ returns from PUP list, the Hall will be released)
ahwhile back they signed noel devine , did they release him ?
nev – yeah that kid got dropped within the week they signed him. I’m guessing he’s either a real punk who is terrible with authority/responsibility or he was just not needed once they saw how good Lewis looks….
Loved his college skills but….
Noel Devine fell off the radar map ever since Senir Week where he has a terrible week’s worth of workouts, appearently came in out of shape and with an attitude, then he performed poorly at the Indy combines (for similar reasons) so he then went undrafted (where many thought he would be a 4th or a 5th Rounder) and the Eagles signed him as an undrafted Free-Agent..
I think he lasted 3 maybe 4 days at most at camp, Obvioulsy Devine has other issues going on for he does have the Talent but it appears not the maturity or attitude to play at the NFL level..
Cowboys released 5 time Pro-Bowler A Gurode in a Salary Cap savings, move..
(He was due to earn $4.5 in 2011) Expect many other big names to get released over the next 10 days…
Bears RB Chester Taylor, Eagles Jamall Jackson, and Juqua Parker and J Hanson, Cowboys Keith Brookings, CB T Newman, and many others across the NFL.. ..
paul, they’re not cutting Jamal Jackson FOOL you kiddin?
More news
Redskins DT J Jenkins (2nd Round Pick) and Haynesworth’s replacement at NT Position injured his knee and is out for the Season which is a real blow to the interior of the Redskin Defense.. He was having an excellent Summer Camp/Preseason so far as a Rookie from most observors…
I think they will Schill..
Mudd just does not like big,overweight players who can’t move real well and have issues with stamina & endurance like Jackson does.. He;s a goner as they will keep McGlynn as the back-up Center.. (remember that Vandervelde also has some experience at the Center Position)
On a side note, anyone notice how J Peters looks.. it appears he has shed some weight (10-20lbs would be my guess) and I look for a monster year from him at LT this Season
Jamal Jackson is GONE! Reid referred to him in past tense, on the Reid, Eskin & Reese show yesterday! Don’t jump to conclusions, calling people names, before all the info is in. McGlynn is still young, he ain’t going nowhere.
Does it really matter, that Right side, is still going to be a major problem. 2 rookies at center & RG & a veteran, with a bad foot at RT, who hasn’t played there in 7 years. Brilliant!!! Way to wait until the last week of pre-season, to admit your f^@# ups Andy. Too little, too late. Moron!! Young by week 3. Bank on it!!
Jackson has played better than Kelce, but for all the reasons stated, will start the season backing up Kelce. McGlynn has played poorly, and is not a legit OG. I would be shocked if they don’t keep Jackson.
Your correct DDCar about Jackson being a goner,
I called this back when Mudd was hired and is really a no brainer for them moving forward..Mudd is building this OL in his likeness and JJ is not part of it…
Thats what leads me to believe that pending mudd dying (hope it doesnt happen) that he will be here beyond this year, so will AR and the rest of the gang…
I believe Mudd/Washburn/Lynne all have 2 year committed deals and are signed thru 2013 which is when Coach AR deal is up.. They are all in this together for the next 2 Seasons.. If the Super Bowl doesn’t occur or at least getting to the big game, then the Eagle will clean house and hire Al Golden from the University of Miami and former Temple Coach to become the next Philadelphia Eagle Head Coach.. You heard it here first…
Paul and DD – forgive me for living in the real world, but Jackson wiill be gone when the Eagles, or he via twitter or speaking directly to the media, announce so. Otherwise, its you two knuckleheads running your mouths.
Gruden paul… and im talking about chucky buddy… hes waiting for the job to open up
Schiller, what’s this affinity you have for Center J Jackson..
Every time I have brought up about him being cut/released from the Eagles (which I have many times over the last few months) you appear to get visibly upset and start a verbal barrage.. It’s quite obvious for anyone who has followed Coach Mudd over his career, that he does not like the big,heavy, players who are in so-so condition.. Look ar his Indy teams where the OL averaged about 305lbs across the baord which is much lighter than the NFL’s Average these days.. He likes athletic, in top shape and intelligent OL.. Hw always has and always will for that’s waht he was when he played..
But players like J Jackson, Nick Cole, MJG and probably McGlynn just don’t fit his mold.. And if Jason Peters wasn’t careful with his weight and conditioning, he would be in the dog house too.. by the way, Peters looks great this Camp and is probably in the best shape since his Rookie Season.. I think Peters will have a monster season this year and being in great shapae will only extend his career a couple more seasons.. ..
Paul, I don’t have a particular affinity for him, although he’s played the position well, is a good story (longshot in terms of draft level) and seems like a good person. But what I do have is an aversion for fans assuming things (sound familiar?).
I think the center position is important. Anyone disagree?
Ok then, we currently have 1 proven center on the team who is a vet and we know can get the job done. We also have a rookie who the OL coach likes and we know is making the team becuase he’s slated to start week 1 per the coaches. Jackson is at LEAST the #2 center on the team in terms of ability.
but you are saying they cut the #2 or #1 best center on the team. I say that’s stupid. Doing so makes your team worse. I don’t see why a team would make a decision that makes the team worse just because according to a some fans, a player doesn’t fit the ideal style of a position coach.
Schill, the only real world you live in is your own mind. I deal in facts & reality. I don’t just run my mouth to hear myself talk. I’m not like that. Reid spoke about him past tense. They aren’t going to pay a injury prone, slow, fat out of shape, back up center, $3m+! What are you not understanding & getting your panties in a bunch for!? Is JJ your squeeze or something!? Stop with the argumentative, childish, delusional, pom pom waving! Enough already!
Does everyone forget the McGlynn is still on the Roster who started 15 games last season.. JJ has played 2 1/2 football games since Dec of 2009
It is almost Sept 2011, His time has past, he is a nice fella and I like JJ, but he does not fit the new mold of Eagles OL under Coach Mudd.. plain and simple..
DD – My guess is that the past tense was in reference to him starting – we know Kelce is the starter for now – so that makes sense. In your reality (since ours are apparently different), are psychic powers abound? Becuase you seem to be able to know things will happen before they happen.
and also Draft Pick Vandervelde has also played some Center in College (Iowa) I think the Eagles will keep McGlynn this year as the Back-up Center and will develop Vandervelde for the back-up Center and Guard spots moving forward and will be the #2 Guy in 2012 behine Kelce..
It’s a shame the AQ Shipley wasn’t able to step up, I though going into camp that he had a real shot as a back-up at Center and in fact, I haven’t heardmuch about him at all ..
Schill, i’m not Nostradamous. I’m just stating the facts in this situation. I’m not understanding your irrational attitude with this! Are you telling me, that the Birds are going to keep him as a backup, knowing he isn’t Mudd’s type, he’s had 2+ seasons of various injuries, he’s badly out of shape & also pay him $3m+!? See my thinking. That’s factual, rational, reasonable thinking, not predictions!
DD – we’re pulling teeth here and it’s past time to move on. But –
“That’s factual, rational, reasonable thinking, not predictions!” – you are correct, up until you say ‘not predictions’ – Saying that he will be cut, is (drumroll please) A PREDICTION.
You got that?
I am still not sure why you guys are still arguing this… Paulmandomis stated that J Jackson wans not in the future plans for the Eagles like 2 months ago .. (You guys should pay a lttle more attention once in a while) ha ha