Depth Chart Divin'

^{- Posted by Derek -}

I've been boycotting any discussion of the depth chart since Spadaro revealed the whole thing was just a made-up conversation piece we shouldn't put any stock in, despite the fact that it's on the Eagles' official website. 

However, Sam -- who must have moles deep within the PE.com web team -- emailed me a little while ago to note that the first official depth chart is now available.  And it's somewhat interesting.

I'm a little shocked to see Maclin listed with the second unit.  Guess there are no hard feelings about that whole holdout thing, eh?  I'm much less shocked to see Reggie Brown there, given the way you don't put a "4 Sale, Cheap" sign on a guy you're hoping to get some value from.

Victor Abiamiri is slotted ahead of Juqua Parker.  If that wasn't the way things were trending already, last week's events pretty much guaranteed that outcome.  Of course, since VA is hurt, it doesn't mean much right now anyway. 

Jason Babin has a long climb ahead of him.

Tank Daniels needs to keep showing up on special teams. 

A little surprising that the team only lists one punter and kicker.  Thought we might have a punting competition going there for a little while.

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In other news, Reid did a presser this afternoon.  Aside from all the questions he ducked, there's a lot of interesting material in there.  In case you were feeling pretty decent about the tight end situation ... you won't after reading that.

First Hunt, Now Reed

It's a dangerous, dangerous time to be one of Derek's favorite Eagles players.  Tony Hunt got the ax before the 49ers game, and now word comes today that the team has released J.R. Reed to make room for new fullback Kyle Eckel:

The Eagles solidified the fullback position Tuesday, signing former Patriot Kyle Eckel to a two-year contract. To make room for Eckel, the team released safety J.R. Reed...  

Eckel, a Philadelphia native, played college football at Navy and high school football at Episcopal Academy in Merion, Pa...

Despite bouncing around training camps with the Dolphins and Patriots since leaving the military in October of 2006, Eckel saw his first game action in 2007, where he ran the ball 33 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while also registering 12 special-teams tackles.

Far be it from me to knock a Navy guy -- and, hey, at least we finally signed a fullback to play, er, fullback -- but I hate seeing J.R. Reed go.  Hope he catches on somewhere.

Strange footnote to that story:

Dan Klecko, who started at fullback against the 49ers, will remain at fullback.

Ok ... but now that we have a fullback, why not get Klecko in the mix again at DT, since he's already put up a couple of sacks?  Funny how we're the team that now needs two fullbacks, after deciding we didn't need any a couple months ago.

New Igglesblog policy:  I will no longer be disclosing the guys I most enjoy rooting for on this team. 

Oh, and one other note while we're at it.  It's because PE.com says things like "solidified the fullback position" in the first line that demonstrates why it's a good idea to keep the free press around.

Peeking At The "Final" Depth Chart

First of, kudos to the organization for the new site design.  I'll eagerly await Bounty's expert opinion on the matter before forming my final judgment, but I like straight away that this is a much cleaner look.  It had been increasingly difficult finding stuff on the old page.

As I was clicking around, I came across the new depth chart.  There's nothing earth-shattering there, but it's worth mentioning:

• Jason Avant is listed as Kevin Curtis' backup.  Hank Baskett is the #3 at that position.
• DeSean Jackson makes his triumphant appearance on the depth chart as Reggie's understudy.
• No backup LT listed, unlike last year when WJ got both spots.
• The DE situation is a complete mess.  On the left side, we have JP and two injured guys.  On the right it's all the healthy bodies. 
• When you see it in black and white, four cornerbacks -- one named Lito Sheppard -- doesn't look all that comfortable.  Good thing they have two CBs on the practice squad and the guy with the impossible to spell name on PUP.

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Other items:

• The "virtual museum" isn't quite there yet, but the idea shows some promise.  Love the old highlights.
• Donovan for some reason feels the need to defend Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell: "DeSean did some great things, but, like I said, the other guys (Pinkston and Mitchell) did some great things too. We can't overlook the fact that Todd did a great job for us. He also led the league, I believe, in catches over 20 yards in 2004. Freddie did a great job for us in the slot."
• Westbrook's been here, what, seven years?  And he's still saying something like: "With having (WR) Kevin (Curtis) out, we might depend on the running game a little bit more and put a little bit more pressure on the running backs and receivers to step up a little bit to make more plays and make up that difference for Kevin."   Suuuuuure.

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And of course the big news:

On how he is going to line up the wide receivers: "I'm going to leave (WR) DeSean (Jackson) at Z and just leave it that way."

On who he is going to play at the X: "We'll mix guys in there."

Uh, guys ... if Andy's press conference is to be believed, DeSean Jackson is currently your #1 wide receiver.

The End of Greg Lewis

Something weird pointed out by Eyrie at wingheads:

Still, some starters may not be seeing action. Cornerback Asante Samuel will not play as he recovers from a hamstring strain, and wide receiver Reggie Brown might sit out with Achilles inflammation.

If Brown can't go, Greg Lewis will start opposite Kevin Curtis, though situations will dictate the personnel, Reid said.

This despite the fact that the team's depth chart clearly lists Greg Lewis behind Hank Baskett and Jason Avant.

So what's going on?  I think Reid lets us in on the secret a little bit later in his remarks:

"Whether you're a veteran player or you're a rookie, this is a showcase for you," Reid said. "It's a showcase to make the football team for those who end up making it, and then for those who don't, you've got positive film out there for other teams to look at. You don't want to let one rep get away from you."

Yeah, he's not just talking about Lewis there, but this seems like a pretty good sign that Reid is trying to do right by a guy who's put his time in here by giving him one last chance to audition for the rest of the league. 

Don't be surprised if Lewis gets his number called a couple of times in those first two series.

Depth Chart Divin'

Ok, you have to admit, this was pretty good:

And of course, the biggie: how do they handle the three CBs? I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see a "slash" put up there.

Thanks to reader johnnyshaka for posting the link to the new chart on PE.com. Check that out. Scroll down a bit ... a little further ... past the linebackers ... and there it is:

Not too shabby. And in merely alphabetical order, I'm sure.

As for the rest of the predictions:

1. Winston Justice will only be listed as the first backup at right tackle, not both positions
2. Avant and Baskett the #2s, Jackson and Lewis the #3s
3. Davis, Lawton, Collins
4. Andrews will still have his spot
5. Parker, Abiamiri (why create controversy now)
6. Reed ahead of Demps (Quintin #2 doesn't need any more confidence)
7. Klecko/Laws and Reagor/Kimo

In order:

1. Yes on this one, but the Eagles always like to fill out the early charts with different names, even if putting one guy at two positions better reflects reality. In this case, though, I think the reality is that King Dunlap has more of a future at LT than Winston Justice does. That's not going to bode well for my other predictions about Justice that you can can go Google yourself.
2. Bzzzzt. Michael Gasperson is listed ahead of DeSean Jackson. This despite the fact that if you think Gasperson has any chance of making this team ahead of Jackson, I've got some "covered parking" "at" the Linc you might be interested in "leasing."
3. Yes, but not much of a surprise.
4. You know Andy's rule -- starters don't lose their jobs due to injuries or diagnosis of clinical depression.
5. No surprise.
6. Yes. Demps being who he is, though, he probably recognized immediately the mind game Andy Reid was playing and this only made him more confident in his abilities.
7. Yes -- the coaches have been really impressed with Klecko all camp and he's fortunate because what they need from that position -- penetration and pass rush -- he might just be able to provide. With the trio of Patterson, Bunkley and Laws, the Eagles don't really need another guy who can be stout against the run.

Other observations:

• No Jerome McDougle. Anywhere. He's even behind Bryan Smith.
• Ditto on Tony Hunt. I know. Shocking.
• %$@#! &!$#^#@
• Mike McGlynn is ahead of Mike Gibson. Which is great because I so can tell our two mid-range white offensive linemen draft picks named 'Mike' apart.
• By my count, Andy Studebaker is the 8th linebacker on the depth chart. Maybe he should send Jim Johnson some more YouTube videos.
• On that note, Vegas just nosed Studebaker ahead of Smith for "guy most likely to suffer a 'stinger' during the four preseason games."
• Reed at FS, Considine at SS ... doesn't that seem backwards? Not that it matters since they all play all the positions.
• Darren Howard is still listed as the backup long-snapper. I think we might want to consider another backup plan there.

Still Waiting...

From PE.com yesterday:

First, on the field. It's to the point now where the players have made their latest impressions to the coaching staff. The depth chart -- released officially on Tuesday -- is set to this point.

It's lunch time, guys.  Hurry up please :)

A few predictions:

• Winston Justice will only be listed as the first backup at right tackle, not both positions
• Avant and Baskett the #2s, Jackson and Lewis the #3s
• Davis, Lawton, Collins
• Andrews will still have his spot
• Parker, Abiamiri (why create controversy now)
• Reed ahead of Demps (Quintin #2 doesn't need any more confidence)
• Klecko/Laws and Reagor/Kimo

That last one may be a bit of a stretch.  But I don't think the old guys have been overly impressive, based on reports so far.

And of course, the biggie:  how do they handle the three CBs?  I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see a "slash" put up there.