The Philadelphia Eagles played a preseason game Monday night and another Friday night, and both of them were on the road -- so it’s been a hectic week for them, to say the least. Still, some interesting issues emerged despite the frantic schedule.
The first item -- and people might be getting sick about reading about this guy -- is that rookie QB Nick Foles continues to play beyond his years and experience, and now the general feeling is that he will beat out Mike Kafka for the No. 2 QB position.
Also, even though most of the starting positions and even more of the backup positions are pretty easy to predict, there are a couple of positions that are still up in the air and are likely to remain there until the end of the preseason.
Each week during the preseason, RapidReports will take a position-by-position look at the players we think are likely to make the final cut to 53 on Aug. 31.
Stock rising: CB Brandon Boykin. The rookie has a job already wrapped up as the Eagles’ No. 1 kick returner -- he averaged 24 yards on two attempts vs. the Browns -- and now he’s pressuring veteran Joselio Hanson to be the No.1 nickel CB.
Stock falling: LB Brian Rolle. He earned a starting job on weak side at the end of last season and came into training camp still No. 1 on the depth chart. But he struggled on Monday night vs. the Patriots and then struggled again on Friday night vs. the Browns, and now the Eagles will look at other options, including Jamar Chaney.
QB -- In: (3) Michael Vick, Nick Foles, Trent Edwards. Out: Mike Kafka. Analysis: This is a major change in the pecking order, as it appears Kafka will go from second-string QB to no-string QB. Foles has earned shot at No. 2, and veteran Trent Edwards has made major strides since the beginning of camp -- and now he’s the veteran safety net Andy Reid wants.
RB -- In: (3) LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Bryce Brown. Out: Chris Polk. Analysis: Polk has played well enough to win a job, but he’ll probably be squeezed out because the Eagles won’t keep four RBs. Still, Polk has a chance because second-year Dion Lewis isn’t the lock he was just a week or two ago.
FB -- In (1): Stanley Havili. Out: Emil Igwenagu. Analysis: The FB doesn’t get used a lot in the Eagles’ offense except as a blocker for LeSean McCoy and occasional receiver. Havili served time on the practice squad last season and earned the No.1 job. And since the Eagles will carry only one FB on the active roster, there’s a good chance Igwenagu could end on the practice squad, too, in case Havili gets injured.
WR -- In (6): Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant, Riley Cooper, Damaris Johnson, Marvin McNutt: Out: Chad Hall, McKay Jacobson, Mardy Gilyard, Brian Hernandez, Jamel Hamler, Tiger Jones, Elvis Akpa. Analysis: This is a veteran group, with the exception of the two rookies, McNutt and Johnson. There’s a lot of young talent here, but only so many roster spots, and some NFL-worthy players won’t be with the Eagles this season.
TE -- In (3): Brent Celek, Clay Harbor, Brett Brackett. Out: Chase Ford, Emil Igwenagu. Analysis: Harbor continues to shine in camp and the preseason games, and he will be given a bigger role in the offense this year. Brackett has played well as a blocker and a receiver, and he can also play special teams and if the Eagles keep three TEs he will be one of them.
OL -- In (9): Todd Herremans, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Danny Watkins, King Dunlap, Demetress Bell, Julian Vandervelde, Dennis Kelly, <span data-shortcode= Reynolds" data-canon="Dallas Reynolds" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">. Out: Mike Gibson, D.J. Jones, Steve Vallos, Alfred McCullough, Brandon <span data-shortcode=" data-canon="Brandon Washington" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">, Thomas Welch. Analysis: Dunlap is still starting over Bell at LT, although that could chance in the next two weeks. Kelly has played well for a rookie and has a job wrapped up, and Reynolds gets the final spot because he can back up both G and C. There won’t be many surprises here.
DL -- In (9): Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Fletcher Cox, Derek Landri, Antonio Dixon, Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Phillip Hunt. Out: Darryl Tapp, Frank Trotter, Monte Taylor, Cedric Thornton, Ollie Ogbu, Xavier Brown. Analysis: This is the deepest and most talented area on the team, and some good players aren’t going to make it, including Tapp. It appears Patterson won’t be ready for opener and will start season on PUP list, which should open the door for Hunt, who has played as well or better than any d-lineman in camp.
LB -- In (6) DeMeco Ryans, Brian Rolle, Mychal Kendricks, Jamar Chaney, Akeem Jordan, Casey Matthews. Out: Keenan Clayton, Ryan Rau, Adrian Moten, Monte Simmons. Analysis: Two of the three starters are set, with Ryans and rookie Kendricks, but suddenly Rolle’s job is in jeopardy because he didn’t play very well in the last two preseason games and determining who will start on the weakside will be a major focus in the last two weeks of camp. So, Expect Chaney and maybe even Clayton to get some meaningful reps at that position.
DB -- In (10): Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Joselio Hanson, Curtis Marsh, Brandon Boykin, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Colt Anderson, Jaiquawn Jarrett. Out: Trevard Lindley, Cliff Harris, Brandon Hughes, Kevin Thomas, Phillip Thomas, Wade Bonner, Tom Nelson. Analysis: The only really unsettled issue here is which player will man the all-important nickel CB position. Veteran Hanson had the inside track and the beginning of camp, but rookie Boykin is starting to catch up. Another job that won’t be determined until the last minute.
Special teams -- In (3): Alex Henery, Mat McBriar, Jon Dorenbos. Out: Chas Henry. Analysis: The only competition is at punter and the Eagles seem to like McBriar’s experience more than Henry’s potential. Another clue is that McBriar is getting more practice time as Henery’s holder, a key role for the Eagles’ punter.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSSportsNFLPHI.
Eagles Projected Roster: Getting to 53
After seeing the Philadelphia Eagles play two preseason games this week, here's another look at how the team could get down to 53 players for the 2012 NFL season.
By
Kevin Noonan
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5 min read