Early Cuts Made
Posted: August 25th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 20 Comments »The Eagles got the roster down to 80 today. There were no real surprises, but here are a few thoughts on the cuts…
Here are the cuts:
WR Elvis Akpla
WR McKay Jacobson
WR Brian Hernandez
WR Tiger Jones
OT Thomas Welch
OG Alfred McCullough
DE Xavier Brown
CB Kevin Thomas
S Tom Nelson
S Wade Bonner
Nelson is the biggest name. He had a chance to push for a roster spot, but suffered a high ankle sprain vs NE. That will bother him for likely the next month at least. That just killed his chances. Too bad.
I was a little surprised to see Welch cut. I thought they might want him to play vs the Jets and just eat up some snaps. I’ll get more into the OT position in a post on Sunday.
The Eagles will need to cut 5 more guys by Monday at 4pm. My guesses…
LB Adrian Moten
OG Mike Gibson
CB Trevard Lindley
LB Monte Simmons
FB Emil Igwenagu
The key is to keep enough depth to get through the Jets game on Thursday. You also don’t want to expose players you want on the practice squad. Save them for final cuts.
I do wonder about cutting Brandon Washington. He’s shown so little that they could risk cutting him now. My guess is that they keep him another week. Also wondered about Chas Henry. Just guessing they keep him to keep the battle going.
* * * * *
EaglesJake put up a video of Danny Watkins vs NE. Danny actually had a better game than I gave him credit for. You can see how strong he is. Danny can really anchor when he locks on. Quick guys do get the best of him at times. That’s true for a lot of OGs.
_
Looks like D.J. Jones survived for now. I realize he didn’t play against anyone you could really judge him against, but he seemed to do well in the situation he was in. And looked a lot less stiff than Bell or Dunlap when doing it.
Maybe they want to put him on the practice squad?
Very possible. DJ has talent.
I gotta be honest. I’m a die-hard, and there are six guys among these cuts that I never heard of. Akpla, Bonner and Nelson I know.
The next 5 cuts you list could get interesting. Gibson goes before Vallos, because Vallos can play C now? Emil was always a PS candidate at best. Lindley and Monte just buried at deep positions, and they really had to shine and haven’t.
I think Henry wins the Punt job based solely on the fact McBriar has never shown he can hold..Not that he does a bad job but for some reason Kickers have a rough time with him holding, he looks sloppy holding, while Henry looks sharp
Very possible. Holding is a key skill for the P.
Doesn’t have to be the punter. Can be anyone but Dorenbos. I personally prefer the #3 QB in that role.
Are you calling for Koy Detmer to come back?
Anyone who can do the gunslinger thingy…
I’d like to see Avant get a shot to hold in preseason, since he’s been listed on the depth chart for years. I have no idea whether he’s an improvement over McBriar but I’d guess so. If you make it your #3 QB than you lose the option not to activate him.
Agree. I think McBriar was holding on the miss against Cleveland.
Do the 3 guys already on NFI and PUP reserve lists apply against the 75 man limit? They might only need to cut 2 more by Monday.
I don’t think they count, but that is a good question. I’ll ask Sam.
Elvis has left the building.
my Monday cut predictions:
Trevard Lindley CB
Monte Taylor DE
Monte Simmons LB
Adrian Moten LB
Emil Igwenagu FB
The only difference is Taylor rather than Gibson. I originally had Frank Trotter rather than Lindley but I see since Lindley won’t make the team and can’t PS he’s a logical choice, and guys like Hughes and Harris need the work. It may be that they’ll keep Trotter and Taylor around to rest their DL.There could be a surprise like a bigger name guy they’ve given up on.
I think Monte Taylor is a guy you hold onto until the last possible minute. I want him on the P-squad. Love his frame and potential.
I thought Brandon had a concussion, also he was just drafted this year.
He did. Played a bit vs CLE. Eagles would love him on P-squad, if not team.
So, Elvis has left the building?
I apologize for not using that line myself.
Cliff “We smoked it all” Harris has also been cut…per reports