Eagles Notebook

As of 2am on Sunday night/Monday morning, there is no update on the final practice squad spot.  I’m still hoping for DE Monte Taylor, but there isn’t a word about him anywhere.  Very weird.  I thought he looked very good in the preseason.  Would seem hard to believe no one had interest in him, but I’ve been wrong before.  I actually enjoyed Cop Rock when it came out.

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So why Frank Trotter over Ollie Ogbu for the practice squad?  I went back and re-watched parts of the CLE and NYJ games.  Trotter was very impressive, in his own way.  Let’s be honest here.  Neither guy was a stud player that dominated or did anything special.  Both are hard working, tough guys that make the most of their ability.

The Browns had a drive that started at the 6:54 mark of the 3rd Qtr.  It lasted into the 4th Qtr.  Trotter did not come off the field for one snap.  He showed a great motor by chasing the ball all over the field.  He ran to both sidelines in pursuit.  He hustled downfield on a pass play and was in position to make a tackle 20 yards downfield if a DB hadn’t beaten him to the ball.

The Jets ran the ball more.  Trotter took on double teams really well in that game.  He showed the ability to hold his ground.  He sometimes was able to split them and get into the backfield.

Trotter is quick off the ball, but not explosive.  He got single-blocked on some pass plays and was able to drive his blocker backward.  He plays with pretty good leverage.  Uses his hands to engage blockers.  Aggressive off the ball.  He might be small, but he will play NT and do the dirty work.  He’s not afraid to battle double teams.  He can play UT, but isn’t a natural pass rusher.

Trotter is 6-1 1/2.  Right now he’s probably about 275.  I think he should bulk up in the 285 to 290 range.  He won’t lose quickness, but will gain strength.  That won’t affect his speed (runs well in the open field) or his motor.  Trotter does offer some versatility.  He was a DT at Memphis for most of his career, but moved out to DE halfway through his Senior season.  That was a selfless move.  He did play DE for at least one snap in the Jets game…maybe more.

I don’t know that Frank Trotter will ever be a player you want on the field in a regular season game.  There is a lot I love about him, but he’s small and not an explosive player.  That said, he could develop into a good role player.  He’s in the  perfect system.  He’s tough as nails.  He’ll get bigger/stronger.  Jim Washburn will work on  his technique.  And don’t forget he was a terrific college player.  Trotter had 36.5 TFLs on an awful Memphis defense.

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Any players on the street that interest me?  Not really.  I like the Eagles roster a lot.  The Panthers did cut DT Terrell McClain and he’s a player I loved prior to the 2011 draft.  He is a disruptive 1-gap DT.  The Panthers let him go so that they could add a bigger body.  McClain could easily play in the Wide-9.  Some other team could claim him.  There are plenty of teams that need 1-gap DTs.

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Jimmy Bama and I recorded a new podcast.  We reviewed the roster moves and talked about some other oddball stuff.

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DJ Jones had been signed by the Giants, but apparently failed his physical and is back on the street.  He showed potential this summer.  Some team should give him another look.

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A note about new G/T Nathan Menkin…Keith, our resident expert on D-3 football, explained in the previous comments section that Menkin played for a college (Mary Hardin-Baylor) that runs a wishbone type of attack and does little passing.  I checked and they attempted 19 passes per game last year.  Andy Reid would call that a decent 1st half.  For a whole game?  Crazy.  That would explain why he looked so lost as a pass blocker.  Menkin has good NFL potential.  I think he could start at OG in the future.  I don’t know if he can be an OT.  Gotta see him in the Mudd system before I can give you a valid opinion on that.

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