Eagles notes

[PhillyGirl]

From Spudz and his painted on abs:

Stretch Time Here To Answer These Questions


August 21, 2005

The home stretch. It's here for the players and the coaches and the personnel department. The task is to find the best 53 players and keep them on the active roster, then stock a practice squad full of prospects.

The task is to head into the regular season ready to win football games and build to a peak in November and December and January and, yes, February.

And so every snap that a Jeremy Thornburg gets and every pass that a Stephen Spach catches and every time Juqua Thomas and Martin Patterson make a play, the job becomes a little more difficult.

That's just the way Andy Reid likes it.

"You don't want to miss any of those guys," said Reid on Sunday in his NovaCare Complex office. It was the day after the team's 20-14 preseason win over Baltimore. Reid and the coaches were in watching the game again and again and again. They were evaluating players and schemes and successes and failures.

"The more competition, which we have right now, makes it tougher on the coaches. I've told the players, 'Make it tough on us. Make it a tough decision for Tom Heckert and I.' "

The rosters are cut to 65 players a week from Tuesday. Friday is the last chance for some of young kids who have worked so hard to go out and show they can play in the NFL. It won't be easy. Reid is likely to play the starters into the third quarter, maybe, and then go to the bench. Some of the players who have filled out the fourth quarter in these previous two games won't play at all on Friday against the Bengals.

What do you need to look for in the final two games and these last few weeks before the regular season starts? Let's answer some questions, or at least suggest what questions might be answered by due process of the team...

What Is The Next Step With OT Tra Thomas?

He'll be on the practice field Monday and, as the week progresses, the Eagles will determine if he can play on Friday night. They don't want to rush him, but they also want Thomas to be ready for the regular season.

"He'll get in there this week and work with the ones (starters), said Reid. "He'll get in there and get in the swing of things."

It looks good for Thomas, then. He will have time to be in game shape for the Falcons. His presence means Todd Herremans moves back to the No. 2 left tackle role, but what a great summer for this kid. The Eagles know something they didn't know before training camp: Herremans is a legitimate, ready-now left tackle in this league. He has a ton to improve upon, but the foundation is there. 

Thus, the offensive line just improved. Thomas, a three-time Pro Bowl player, is back. Herremans gives the Eagles some presence at the backup tackle position. If something happens with Thomas, the Eagles don't need to move Artis Hicks from left guard out to tackle.

One of the unsung bonuses of the spring and summer practices is Herremans. Young depth. You can't have enough.

When Can We Expect To See Jerome McDougle?

It seems like Jerome McDougle suffered his injury from a shooting so long ago, but a full month has not yet lapsed. McDougle remains in Miami awaiting a doctor's clearance to travel. His spirits, Reid says, are great. He's "chomping at the bit" to get back on the field.

But right now, McDougle is limited in what he can do physically, so he remains several weeks away from stepping back on the field.

What happens when the Eagles have to trim to 53 players? McDougle will likely remain on the Physically Unable To Perform list and will have to stay there through the first six weeks of the season.

On the active roster, the Eagles will probably keep five ends -- Jevon Kearse, N.D. Kalu, Hugh Douglas, Trent Cole and, um, who else? Juqua Thomas has impressed a lot of people. He has a really good chance if he keeps playing well. Darrell Lee actually played well on Saturday, although he was totally gassed at the end.

Maybe the Eagles only keep four ends and go heavy at tackle and use Darwin Walker as a swing end/tackle. I don't know. But they do have some depth and some youth that is coming on -- Trust me, they love Cole, love him. Hopefully he gets back on the field this week -- and so Tommy Brasher can keep guys fresh and not have to feel shorthanded without McDougle.

Which Of The Young Offensive Linemen Have Moved Ahead?

Herremans, yes. Adrien Clarke is getting a lot of reps, as is Trey Darilek. Good signs for those guys. Calvin Armstrong is playing well at right tackle. Other guys are in the mix and, honestly, I don't know.

My expectation is that the linemen who aren't on the active roster will be, for the most part, on the practice squad. The Eagles have a lot of talent here and the young kids are playing well. The offense, in case you haven't noticed, is moving the ball no matter who is at quarterback. The line is playing well.

What's The Deal With Corey Simon?

The buzz over the weekend was that Simon was planning to come in this week. That's all I've got, though: A buzz. If he comes in this week and signs his one-year contract, he can work some in the final preseason game.

Then again, Reid will probably take a look at Simon during the practice week and determine if he thinks Simon needs to play. Otherwise, Reid would like to keep all of his regulars on the sidelines and keep them healthy for the start of the regular season.

In any event, defensive tackle is a really interesting position. Mike Patterson has been fairly dominating in his first two games. He's going to play this year. Hollis Thomas and Darwin Walker have also played well in the preseason. Sam Rayburn was playing terrific football and is now rehabbing a sore elbow. He'll be fine.

Simon? You've got to figure, given his contract situation, that he'll be in great shape and ready to dominate.  ::)That's five tackles. Any more?

Keyonta Marshall has actually done a good job, but he faces a numbers crunch. Paul Grasmanis is injured with no timetable for a return, so his status is a question mark.

This is a good group, certainly bolstered by Patterson's play. He has the motor the Eagles said he has and he's strong and quick and a good, good player. He is making a difference.

What Other Positions Are Hotly-Contested?

Martin Patterson is probably very close to being even with Mike Labinjo for the backup middle linebacker job. The final two games will tell a lot. Thornburg doesn't look the part -- he's a skinny guy with not much meat on the arms -- but he sure does make a lot of plays in games. With Sean Considine nursing a shoulder injury -- is it possible he doesn't play the rest of the preseason? -- Thornburg is getting his chance to shine, and he's taking advantage. PG note....Thornburg not only wears Hauck's number, but its like he channeled Hauck's attitude and feistiness. Skinny white dude with crazy recklessness in him. LOL

The reality is that the Eagles will carry four safeties and that Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Quintin Mikell and Considine are making the team. Thornburg? I don't know.

Spach is ahead of Thorn and James Whalen at tight end, but I think Thorn will be a strong practice squad candidate, at least.

Fullback? It seems to be Jon Ritchie's job to lose, based on his reps in practice and his first-team status in games.

Wide receiver is something to watch. If Justin Jenkins' injury is serious, the Eagles are looking at Carlos Perez or Isaac West as the No. 5 guy. These are two huge weeks for those kids.

Or, of course, the Eagles can try to acquire somebody. No buzz about that. Sorry.

What Are Reid's Priorities For The Next Two Weeks?

He needs the players to reduce the penalties and mental mistakes. He needs to be very definitive on the players on the bubble. Somebody, many bodies maybe, will find homes on other rosters, I assure you of that.

But Reid also wants his starters to get substantial time this week. The first wave of cuts will be tough, sure, but that's a good thing. Make it hard on Reid and Heckert. The young players listened and have responded with excellent summers for the Eagles.

[PhillyandBCEagles]

Buzz among Pats fans is that they'll be cutting Bethel Johnson, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing us pick him up as a 5th WR.  Would've preferred to have Jenkins there but looks like he's done for the year.  Guy is raw but has serious wheels and can return kicks as well.

[Don Ho]

Buzz among Pats fans is that they'll be cutting Bethel Johnson, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing us pick him up as a 5th WR.  Would've preferred to have Jenkins there but looks like he's done for the year.  Guy is raw but has serious wheels and can return kicks as well.

BC - is Bethel's demise due to a numbers thing or his performance? 

[bobbyinlondon]

According to PFT, it isn't Johnson that's in trouble. It's David Terrell and Tim Dwight.

[WEST is GOD]

I think numbers and performance are one in the same. He does have insane speed though. I'd take him. He's not exactly the quality I'd prefer, but if he is the only option, I'd take him.

[Diomedes]

All Hail Tim Hauck!!

[PhillyandBCEagles]

Buzz among Pats fans is that they'll be cutting Bethel Johnson, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing us pick him up as a 5th WR.  Would've preferred to have Jenkins there but looks like he's done for the year.  Guy is raw but has serious wheels and can return kicks as well.

BC - is Bethel's demise due to a numbers thing or his performance? 

Numbers--simply no room for him there with Givens, Branch, and now Davis.  The Pats haven't ever really used him much in the past so a lot of speculation is that he's on his way out.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Actually, Bethel is probably safe.  David Terrell is likely to be on the chopping block, and then Dwight if someone else needs to go.  Troy Brown is a returner and also on the depth chart at CB, so they can carry 6 WR's.

[rjs246]

No chance Bethel gets cut. Young, cheap, fast, return skills. No chance.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Thornburg, despite a good TFL on the RB, was missing tackles left and right for the rest of the game. For only being 190 he sure does like to lower his shoulder though.

I hope Considine gets healthy soon.