The Philadelphia Eagles cut the roster to 53 on Saturday afternoon. Here’s some thoughts position by position.
Quarterback
What I Projected: Carson Wentz, Nick Foles
What Happened: Carson Wentz, Nick Foles
No surprises here. I have to state one more time how thrilled I am that Matt McGloin is no longer an Eagle. I’m not concerned about Foles’ elbow. I think the Eagles were just being overly cautious.
Running Back
What I Projected: LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles, Donnel Pumphrey
What Happened: LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles, Donnel Pumphrey, Corey Clement
I’m shocked the Eagles are carrying five running backs. It’s just not necessary to carry that many at this position. I love Corey Clement, and I’m glad he made the roster, but keeping a fifth running back means that the team weakens their depth at another position.
Wide Receivers
What I Projected: Alshon Jeffrey, Torrey Smith, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Marcus Johnson, Bryce Treggs
What Happened: Alshon Jeffrey Torrey Smith, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Marcus Johnson, Shelton Gibson
Gibson being on the roster is very questionable. He started to come on a bit at the end of the preseason, but Bryce Treggs I thought had a much better camp. Gibson is going to be a project, and will probably be inactive most weeks. A lot of people had the team keeping slot receiver Greg Ward, I never saw anything impressive from him, at least not enough to keep him around.
Treggs’ release means that Nelson Agholor is the lone returning receiver from the 2016 season.
To be fair, I think Gibson had a better camp and preseason than Donnel Pumphrey.
Tight Ends
What I Projected: Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, Trey Burton
What Happened: Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, Trey Burton
No surprises here. Some thought Billy Brown could slip in as a fourth tight end, but he’s the type of guy that can easily get to the practice squad, no team is going out of there way to add Billy Brown.
Offensive Line
What I Projected: Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Chance Warmack, Stefan Wisniewski, Dillion Gordon, Halapoulivaati Vaitai
What Happened: Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Chance Warmack, Stefan Wisniewski, Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Dillon Gordon was the surprise cut here. He’s likely the guy that paid the price for the Eagles to keep both Corey Clement and Donnel Pumphrey. Gordon started camp strong, but faded down the stretch, capping with a poor performance against the Jets. The Eagles go with only three reserve lineman, with Big V serving as the swing tackle.
Defensive Line
What I Projected: Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Steven Means
What Happened: Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Steven Means
Alex McAlister was released instead of being placed on injured reserve. I really hope they’re able to keep him on the practice squad, he flashed quite a bit in the preseason.
Defensive Tackles
What I Projected: Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan, Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls
What Happened: Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan, Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls
Qualls played too well for the Eagles to release him, especially since Beau Allen has only just returned the action, Allen is going to need some time to get up to full speed.
Linebackers
What I Projected: Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks, Nigel Bradham, Najee Goode, Joe Walker, Kamu Grugier-Hill
What Happened: Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks, Nigel Bradham, Najee Goode, Joe Walker, Kamu Grugier-Hill
No surprises here. Fifth-round pick Nate Gerry was let go in the final cuts.
Cornerbacks
What I Projected: Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson, Rasul Douglas, Jaylen Watkins, Dexter McDougle
What Happened: Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson, Rasul Douglas, Jaylen Watkins, Dexter McDougle
C.J. Smith was the odd man out here after newcomer McDougle flashed in the preseason finale. I’m not thrilled about Jaylen Watkins sticking around, I feel like he’s squandered various opportunities over the last three years, but I thought that his versatility would save him for another year. Patrick Robinson and Watkins need to perform well or risk losing their spots once Sidney Jones is healthy enough to join the active roster.
Safeties
What I Projected: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Chris Maragos
What Happened: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Corey Graham, Chris Maragos
No surprises here, with Terrence Brooks out of the picture there wasn’t really any other serious competition at the position.
Specialists
What I Projected: Caleb Sturgis, Donnie Jones, Rick Lovato
What Happened: Caleb Sturgis, Donnie Jones, Rick Lovato
Final Thoughts
There’s a couple of questions about the final cuts, but they’re ultimately about guys at the bottom of the roster. Of those released, the only guy that I’m legitimately disappointed that the team let go was defensive end Alex McAlister. Not that his release was unexpected (I didn’t have him in my roster projection), but I think he’s a pretty intriguing guy that I hope the team can still retain and develop.
Guys like Donnel Pumphrey and Shelton Gibson are going to spend the season as inactives, with both guys being held on to for their long-term potential in coming seasons. As a result of keeping these extra guys, the team is currently rolling with only three reserve offensive lineman, which the biggest concern I have in its current state.
Very satisfied with the roster. I think we very well positioned for now and for the future. No real surprises when you are debating 5th RB or 5th WR that wont play anyway its a good thing. This year will be a stepping stone. One or 2 moves next year and this team is ready to seriously contend for the NFC and SB next year and beyond IMO. McCallister will be on PS if he clears waivers.
we need to sign matt jones. fuck pumphrey
colts got jacoby brisset for bust wr phil dorsett…we should have dumped agholor on ne for brissett
Cut Blount sign jones! Blount is garbage
Blount is coming off his 2nd 1000 yard season in his career. His first was his rookie seasons 18 tds last season.
We do not need that type of production from Blount this season. If he can give us a little under half of what he gave the Patriots we will be set with sproles and Smallwood.
We got 3 tight ends. Improved WRs position. And 5 rbs for wentz to play with for his second year. Idk how u stop us on offense year, providing he stay relatively healthy.
Dumb Nelson Aghlor for Jacoby? I really hope that’s a joke.
We kept 2 qbs. We could afford to have 5 running backs. Pumphrey is young and it will get exp and gets to learn from the man himself Sproles. I’d rather have Shelton and Pumphrey on the roster then Dillon Gordon who would also be inactive most game nights.
Cannot give up on the better, young prospects yet.
I’m thrilled we kept Marcus Johnson, Corey, and Kamu. Most importantly Mychal Kendricks is still on the roster providing a slept on superstar to add to this defense this season in year 2.
The issue I have with Pumphrey is that being that small you better be lightning quick or fast. He is neither. Thats why a guy like Tyreek Hill flourishes at his size. He is quick and fast.
With 2 RB on the wrong side of 30 and Smallwood a health question. Keeping 5 makes some sense.
2016 vs 2017
QB + (Wentz exp, Foles > Daniel)
RB + BUT Need a stud of the future next year.
WR + (Unbelievable Improvement from 16)
TE =
OL + (no suspension)
DE + (Eat)
DT + (Penetration up the middle )
LB = (slight lean + for depth)
CB + (Not a high hurdle though)
S + ( 27 should not need to play nickle)
K =
P =
LS = (same guy we finished season with)
Dont sleep on wvas shelton gibson who last year had 43 catches 951 yards 8 tds and year prior 37 grabs 887 yds and 9tds. Yak was his most impressive stat..on goal line (red zone) im really looking at this as a roster focus in blount..defensive prowess (top 8) is my hope..when the door hit chip,who wouldnt have signed up for billly davis gone and an budding qb and motivated wrs. In 2 years past..im going to assume next steps will be taken. With bigger strides to follow
Gibson can’t catch have you not watched him at all
Oh man Doug p just got scorched by mike Lombardi. Dag you will enjoy it
Hatchet job and bush league. Looking for hits.
ITS GAME WEEK! EAGLES GONNA WHOOOP THE SKINS
Yes…they need to win this game…Tired of losing to the skins. The curse of DJAX is over as he is now in Tampa. GO EAGLES!!!
Ok I’m thinking maybe Denny or G should reach out to Paul man on Facebook or something…. the site has been losing readership for years but the consistency of his inconsistency of Paul’s post kept me interested …
This site don’t even Allow new members. When I got Jaylen browns best friend on instagram he said he was gonna join and expose that nut. A few days later he wrote and said the site isn’t allowing new members
Lol
Well Paul created a new screen name and joined recently? Then disappears again
He did ? Who?
I forgot the name… some new poster commented and it was determined to be Paul
Trade to saints was best thing to ever happen to Dorenbos
Saints placed LS Jon Dorenbos (heart) on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Dorenbos was taking a physical when the doctors discovered an aortic aneurysm in his heart. He needs immediate surgery, and the discovery of the issue likely saved Dorenbos’ life. In an aortic aneurysm, the aorta is literally tearing and could burst and cause death at any moment. Dorenbos was just acquired last week. This likely ends his career. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Wait… I thought it was a “strange, self inflicted wound’ for the birds??
Toxic Philly media at it again.
Nice, smooth, easy, hopeful off-season? Can’t have that!!
Now “Schwartz angling to take over” BS articles which will lead to a a completely unnecessary week or two of players/coaches being pestered about nothing.
Annoyances, anger, perhaps seeds of doubt. Just what a team needs 2 days before the first game.
Only in Philly. I have stated for years in here, the toxic Philly media is a terrible hindrance on this team.
Old Myths McClane at it again…I don’t know who’s worst, him or ESP.
Mclane is an asshat ever since that media box incident he’s out for blood, ESP is a true negadelphian