A never ending journey called 53.

 

The NFL preseason is in our rear view mirror. Most will rightfully state the triumvirate of games each team plays is about as revealing as American political campaign promises.  Still, some info-nuggets trickle out to help solidify team decisions that lead to their required reductions of 90 man rosters by over 40%, to the NFL standard of 53.

In reviewing where the Eagles decisions differentiated from my modest predictions:

QB- Hurts, Minshew and… Ian Book?  I correctly assumed Reid Sinnett would be on the practice squad.  Howie wants to carry a third QB on the 53, but is this a waste of space?  With all respect to Mr. Book, the goal of any Eagle 3^rd QB is to eventually become a #2.  I do not see this happening with the Ex-Saint 4^th round pick.  Minshew is likely having his final year as a Philly #2 (he wants to start somewhere), while Hurts will try to evolve from starting QB to franchise QB.

Wide Receivers- All knew there was at least a chance of a trade.  I actually liked Reagor as a #5.  I’ve always believed it takes 3 full seasons to know what you have in a wide receiver.  Some (aka Randy Moss, Justin Jefferson) show early, others take time to evolve.  Reagor appears  to be a gadget guy that can get YAC if schemed open.  Eagles thought they were buying more.  I think he’ll be fine as the #4 in Minnesota.  Here in Philly, I suspect the Eagles will promote Britain Covey as the #5 now to return punts.  Like Reagor this year had he stayed in Philly, unless injuries occur Covey won’t have many snaps at wide receiver.  As far as 1-4 at this position, the combo of AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Zach Pascal is as good as any in the NFL.

Tight Ends- Calcaterra came off IR and was rostered along with Stoll and Goedert.  The rookie has some promise as a #2 tight end.  Let’s see if he can fulfill it.  Goedert will try to prove he’s a top 5 NFL TE, and Calcaterra has the opportunity to begin to show what he can be as a receiver, and try to prove he can block (For Stoll it’s the reverse).

Running Backs- Went as expected, until the trade for Trey Sermon.  Even that was somewhat predictable, although carrying multiple running backs on the practice squad was likely sufficient for ’22 depth purposes. The 2020 3^rd round pick Sermon has to show the desire to succeed after being let go by the 49ers the year following their investment in him.  The Eagles have invested in his pedigree, not only as a backup this year but perhaps as an option to start down the line.  The other 3 have defined roles: Miles Sanders is the “Green Zone” rb who needs to prove worthy of red zone snaps.  Boston Scott is his injury relief, and will get red zone work per Sanders performance.  Gainwell can also steal 3^rd down snaps from Sanders, and on other obvious passing downs where a skilled route runner out of the backfield is desired.

O-Line- The big hefties (Kelce, Dickerson, Seumalo, Mailata & Johnson are the starters, whilst Sua Opeta, Jack Driscoll, Andre Dillard and rookie Cam Jurgens are the backups), went true to form, till the end as the 10^th offensive lineman was a surprise.  Josh Sills apparently caught Jeff Stoutland’s eye as an Offensive Tackle / Guard with potential, enough to protect him on the roster and let Jack Anderson get scooped up by the Jets.  It’s OK, in Stoutland we trust!  The idea here is that Stills is a development player worthy of protection, rather than an NFL contributor in ’22. Stoutland is great, if not unparalleled in crating future starters from Rookie Free Agent.  Hopefully Stills is his latest find.  Subsequently, Andre Dillard went down to injury.  I think the Birds will have 4 options for Mialata’s backup…

1.    -   Promote Le’Raven Clark from the practice squad to the 53,

2.    -   Use 3 weeks of protection and promotion from the Practice squad for Le’Raven Clark,

3.    -  Have Jack Driscoll take a shot at LT,

4.   -    Move Lane Johnson over and have Driscoll fill in for Lane on the right side. 

D-Line- As expected and predicted.  5 Tackles (Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Jordan Davis) and 4 Defensive Ends (Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Tarron Jackson). Not only do the Eagles add the huge rookie Jordan Davis, but Brandon Graham, injured early in week 2 last year, is effectively an addition to the Jon Gannon defense.  So 2 big pieces added here.

SAM Linebackers (Overhang edge defenders)- Newcomer Hasson Reddick, with, surprisingly both Johnsons (Patrick and Kyron) making the 53.  I thought one of the two might be relegated to the Practice squad.   Reddick was acquired as the elite edge rusher he is.  A key addition to the D, and attention required for him will help others. 

Off Ball Linebackers- Starters will be TJ Edwards and Kyzir White, backups Nakobe Dean and Shaun Bradley, making them 3 deep (Bradley is primarily a Special Teams guy).  The addition of White & Dean elevates the Eagle talent here.  Davion Taylor is still an Eagle but has been relegated to the Practice Squad.  I thought Taylor would make the team too, but his errors in preseason games 2 and 3 were considered egregious.

Safeties- Starter Marcus Epps made it, along with a trade for a good starter in former Saint Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, an upgrade from Anthony Harris.  K’von Wallace and Reed Blankenship are the backups.  The surprise was the cut of Harris to save a bit on the commitment to his low (<2.5mil) fiscal obligation, and while he initially accepted a practice squad role, he is leaving for another (TBD) 53 opportunity.  Too bad, Harris had value as a backup and more likely 3^rd safety.  Blankenship showed promise and made it on merit.  Not so for former 4^th round pick Wallace, but he’s being given every opportunity as his rookie contract expires after the season.  Another mild surprise was the cutting of ex-49er Jaquiski Tartt.   

Corners- The Eagle starting triumvirate of Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox has a chance to be amongst the best Eagle trios ever.  Also making the team was 2020 RFA signee (to the Jags, subsequently acquired by Philly) and 3^rd outside corner Zech McPherson.  The Eagles cuts were plentiful here, but 2 of those youngsters (Mac McCain, Mario Goodrich) made it to the Practice Squad.   

Eagle Lesson: As Howie has indicated, this is a never-ending journey.  The Eagles look to get better through whatever mechanisms (Draft, Free Agency, Practice Squad promotions, Trades…) or time of year.   It’s a never ending saga, including this week’s decision to put Andre Dillard on IR, thus opening up a new roster spot (for a Punt Returner?).