KEEP in mind I’m a fan. I have no more inside information that you do, I just have a kick-ass record of being right about these things.
This Final Roster Prediction is just a guess based off of what Chip Kelly did last year. Imagine you and I were having a beer and giving our take on the roster. That’s all this is. So don’t be an asshole if I don’t nail all 53 of these.
Special Teams: (3)
K: (1) Alex Henery – There just isn’t enough known about the other Kickers on the roster. Foolishly one wasn’t allowed to kick in any game, and the other was brought over so late, there’s no way of knowing if he’s better or worse.
P: (1) Donnie Jones – He’s the only Punter on the roster.
LS: (1) Jon Dorenbos – He’s the only Long Snapper on the roster.
Offense: (26)
QB: (3) Nick Foles, Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley – Foles is your starter and Sanchez has demonstrated a quick command of this system. If he isn’t traded to the Rams, he’s the #2. If he is then Barkley has a leg up on anybody they could bring in.
RB: (4) LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Henry Josey, Matt Tucker – I’m thinking 4 because last year Kelly went with 4. I’m thinking Josey because all he did was make plays. I’m thinking Tucker over Chris Polk, because Tucker has been solid while Polk hasn’t played a down this preseason and has trouble staying healthy.
WR: (6) Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, Damaris Johnson, Jeff Maehl – I doubt Johnson makes the roster if Huff still isn’t hurt, but if he still is we need a KR. Maehl went to Oregon.
TE: (3) Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, James Casey – Rookie Trey Burton is more versatile and a better fit in this offense, but cutting Casey carries too much of a Dead Money penalty to justify over a 3rd string player.
OT: (5) Lane Johnson, Jason Peters, Allen Barbre, Dennis Kelly, Matt Tobin – Last year we kept 4 but Barbre was listed as a Guard. Aside from that this is the exact same group.
G: (3) Evan Mathis, Todd Herremans, Julian Vandervelde – Vanderveld is listed as Center on the EAGLES roster, but he was a Guard in college, and this preseason has lined up at Guard when the back-up Center has been in.
C: (2) Jason Kelce, David Molk – There’s wiggle room all over the O-line as some players have no hard positional designation. That’s a strength among 3rd stringers, not 2nd. Molk on the other hand is a Center. Period.
DEFENSE: (24)
DE: (4) Cedric Thornton, Fletcher Cox, Taylor Hart, Brandon Bair – Kelly flat out let Hart know he’d made it. As much as I’d like Vinny Curry to make it, the deck has been stacked against him.
DT: (2) Bennie Logan, Beau Allen – Allen hasn’t shown anything that says if he has to step up, he can. But the coaching staff likes him and they get to make the call.
LB: (8) Trent Cole, Connor Barwin, Marcus Smith, DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Bryan Braman, Casey Matthews, Emmanuel Acho – The last 3 will stick for Special Teams.
S: (4) Malcom Jenkins, Nate Allen, Earl Wolff, Chris Maragos – Kept 6 last year, but CB offers some flexibility so 6 aren’t necessary now.
CB: (6) Cary Williams, Brandon Fletcher, Brandon Boykin, Nolan Carroll, Curtis Marsh, Jaylen Watkins – Many want Marsh gone, but when you read his bio on the EAGLES site and compare it with the one of Roc Carmicheal, it tells you what the organization thinks of each man.
So there it is. Again it’s just a guess. Injury or trade however, could change any of this.
Just a bit of gossip: As of this moment (8:07 a.m. Monday 8.25.14), Sanchez hasn’t been traded to the Rams and has said he doesn’t want be. I (like most of you), am hoping we don’t do it. But if we do, hopefully we get our grubby mitts on QB Shaun Hill as part of the deal.
For a team completely void of pass rush I can’t see how both Curry or Graham are cut or traded.
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Again. I hope to be wrong here
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Im a fan of Brandon Graham and Curry and think it would be a mistake to part ways with either one of them. I always liked Sanchez. i thought he was playing with a bum shoulder but has obviously healed it. His arm is lively and if it stays healthy I actually think he looks better than Foles. I would consider trading Sanchez for Austin.
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There’s NO WAY the Rams trade Austin for Sanchez. They could get a guy just as capable (Kurt Cousins) for far cheaper than that. Sanchez doesn’t have the value many Eagles fans think he has.
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Without a QB the Rams have no chance in that division. Austin had some moments and may become a star in this league but I think a proven QB is more valuable than an electric player. Cousins never impressed me and Sanchez has the pedigree. He sort of reminds me of Drew Brees when he got his shoulders repaired. I think a healthy sanchez can play in this league
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Our offensive system allows for hits on the QB. Like Vick, Foles has proven so far to not be able to give us 16 games. In that case we need a back-up.
I have more confidence in Barkley than most fans. When he stepped in (on almost no reps), he completed 61% of his passes. If it wasn’t for his 0-4 TD/Int ratio no one would bat an eye over possibly trading Sanchez.
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Mark Sanchez isn’t going to get us Austin, but I don’t think he (Austin) fits what Chip wants to do anyway. When I see Sanchez I don’t see Brees. He’s far too turnover prone.
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I have to admit I thought Barkley looked a little more sure of himself in preseason than in the past. His passes were crisp but I still question his velocity on the ball. I think he is a solid #3. I couldnt say that last year so he has improved. Whether he can make a jump up remains to be seen.
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Better change that kicker!
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Parkey looked good! (Fingers crossed)
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Regarding your comment about Henery getting a shot. Well I kind of feel like he’s had multiple shots to prove himself and missing a 31 yard field goal is almost unforgivable especially for a guy who relies more on accuracy than leg strength. I think Henery is lost for this team. He needs to get away. Maybe he comes back and is excellent, but I don’t think Philly is the spot for him.
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Before we sell the farm over Parkey, it should be noted that in college he was a 73% Kicker http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2013-2014/histcarr.html#Cody_Parkey
So I expect a strong leg, but if he’s erratic don’t say it was a surprise. I’m thinking maybe a call to Rob Bironas is in order.
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I don’t put a lot of credence in what a kicker did in college. Henery I believe was the most accurate kicker in college and he can’t even make a 31 yard field goal right now, cause his head is all messed up. I think Parkey’s performance may actually force them to keep both of them. At least until Parkey shows he really can’t cut it or Henery shows why he was drafted in the first place. I don’t feel comfortable with a rookie, but Henery is just not there right now.
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People are sold on Parkey because he’s not Henery, but stepping back and looking at it, neither inspires great confidence.
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The difference though: one has lost our confidence in the NFL while the other is a rookie with a big leg.
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Henery cant kick the ball out of the endzone. Setting up good field position for opponents was probably as big a factor as missing field goals in the decision making process. Henery hurt the team in multiple ways.
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Well he gone now! 🙂
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