When Phillip Hunt came to training camp, his name was buried on the depth chart. The Eagles were loaded with defensive ends, including Pro Bowlers Jason Babin and Trent Cole, former first-round pick Brandon Graham, veteran Darryl Tapp and rookie Vinny Curry, a second-round pick.
Heck, the Eagles were even lining DT Cullen Jenkins on the outside, just one more hurdle for Hunt to clear on his way to a roster spot.
The odds are still against Hunt, but he’s done his best to reduce them -- in two preseason games, he’s had three sacks and forced a couple of fumbles. Those are the kinds of plays that get you noticed and, Hunt hopes, keep you employed.
“He’s playing well,’’ coach Andy Reid said. “He’s familiar with what (defensive line coach Jim Washburn) wants him to do, and he does it at 100 mph.”
Still, Hunt can count, and he sees a lot of defensive ends on the roster, several of whom have roster spots already locked up. So, he’ll keep doing what’s worked so far and hope the coaches like it.
“My job is to make their job as tough as possible,’’ Hunt said.
Hunt joined the Eagles last year after leading the CFL in sacks in 2010, with 16 for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but he didn’t get much playing time. He was deactivated for seven of the 16 games and finished with 11 tackles and two sacks.
Now, he’s ready to do more.
“I’m like most guys out there, somebody who needs a chance to show what he can do,’’ Hunt said. “For me, that means getting to the quarterback. I’ve based my career on getting sacks. That’s always been my main objective, and if I keep doing that, everything will work out.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSSportsNFLPHI.
