Eagles Chat: Who'll make the team?

Bob Brookover:

For once in my life, I'm early and I can see there are already lots of questions, so let's get started.

Bryan:

looking at this defense are we in for a serious let down with playoff aspirations? Is it time for JJ to go?

Bob Brookover:

Lots of questions there Bryan. I think there should be concerns about the defense, but it's too soon to panic. Give Gocong and Gaither a chance to prove themselves and improve. I actually think the Eagles are going to fine up front. I don't think it's time for Jim Johnson to go. Remember, the Colts' defense was a disaster for about a six-week stretch last season and got things together to make a postseason run.

Eric:

Any chance that Akeem Jordan can replace Matt McCoy at the linebacker spot? Thanks.

Bob Brookover:

I think Akeem Jordan will be on the practice squad, but McCoy will make the team. Jordan's biggest problem is his size. He's listed at 226 pounds and I'm not sure he weighs that much. That's too small to be a LB in the NFL.

Wingo:

How bad did Sav hurt his chances last night?

Bob Brookover:

I still think he's going to be the punter. He had one bad hold. The other missed FG came on a bad snap by Dorenbos, who didn't have the best preseason. I think Rocca will be fine as the holder.

Jeffrey:

Who do you think we'll be our 5th DT (one out of Reagor or Scott or Ramsey will get cut), who will be our 5th CB (Graham or Barksdale) and who will be our 4th S (Gaddis or Paschal)?

Bob Brookover:

I think Reagor and Scott will both make the team. Ramsey could end up being cut or placed on injured reserve. Jeremy Clarke could also make the team if the Eagles keep five DTs. I'm not sure they'll keep five CBs. They might keep five safeties. If it comes down to Graham and Barksdale, I think I'd keep Graham. I think Gaddis would make it ahead of Paschal just because he's a draft pick.

Dan C.:

Anyone out there worried that the Eagles rate Sheldon Brown a little to high? I could put a 5 minute clip of the many TD passes over his coverage on YouTube (There's so many)

Bob Brookover:

I still think Sheldon can play the CB position quite well provided the defensive line and Jim Johnson's scheme gets pressure on the QB. We're only three years removed from Bill Belichick raving about Brown's ability, so I wouldn't give up on Sheldon.

Matthew:

Will the coaches bench Reggie Brown if he keeps on dropping this many passes? You can't be a #1 receiver if you can't catch the ball. And right now, Curtis, Baskett and Avant would be a good trio of receivers. At least they catch the ball.

Bob Brookover:

Like everyone else on the roster, Reggie Brown must produce if he's going to keep his job as a starting WR. On the other hand, Reggie is coming off a pretty good second season in the NFL, so we should wait to see how he does once these games start counting.

Mike in Seattle:

Are the special teams problems a product of so many untested players at key positions or is there something to be said for the way the new special teams coordinator is managing things? And how concerned really should one get over special teams play?

Bob Brookover:

That's a great question Mike and we're about to find out. The Eagles' special teams weren't very good last year for much of the season and they need to be better. Based on what we saw in the preseason, they should be a concern going into the season.

Bernie:

Bob,Jeremy Bloom, does he make the team as the return specialist after last nights performance? What about Sean Considine's play so far? Should the Eagles give Q the opportunity to start?

Bob Brookover:

I'm anxious to see what the Eagles are going to do about the return situation. My gut feeling is they open the season with Bloom in that role in the hope that both he and the return units improve as the season wears on. But I wouldn't be shocked if Bloom was cut either. As for Considine, he's going to open the season as the strong safety, but Quintin Mikell is a nice insurance policy. Mikell really knows how to hit.

Jeff:

Why should an Eagles fan be optimistic that this year's defense will be better than last year's? And if it isn't much-improved, aren't we doomed for another early playoff exit?

Bob Brookover:

I think the biggest reason for optimism about the defense is the defensive line, particularly the defensive tackles. I think Bunkley has improved a lot and Patterson had an outstanding game against the Steelers. What I've seen of Reagor, he is a nice reserve at that position. But as I said before, there are questions about this defense and it needs to get better as the season wears on.

Brian:

Any chance the Eagles waive Kearse? He hasn't looked good so far...and the Birds have a lot of depth at DE with Cole, Howard, Thomas and Abiamiri.

Bob Brookover:

I don't think the Eagles are going to waive Kearse, although a couple weeks ago I was telling people Trotter would be the starter at MLB, so you never say never. But if they were going to release Kearse, why would they make him sit through last night's game? I do think the Eagles have depth at DE. I even like the Murrell kid who had a sack last night.

Wingo:

Who starts at guard if Shawn Andrews can't go vs. the Pack?

Bob Brookover:

Great question, Wingo. It's one I asked Reid last week. I didn't get an answer, but I asked it. I think it might be Nick Cole because he'll give the game-day roster some flexibility because he can also play center.

Mike in Seattle:

Is Kolb looking like he is viable as the back-up right now if A.J. can't go? I've only been able to listen to games so far so I haven't seen him play yet.

Bob Brookover:

From what was being said after the game, A.J.'s injury wasn't too serious. If you had to live with Kolb as the No. 1 backup for one game, I think you could do it. I will say this, I really liked what I saw from Kolb in the preseason. He has a lot of poise and potential.

Matt:

Why do the coaches stick with Considine at safety instead of starting Mikell there? And is there a chance that before too long we'll see Mikell get the starting job? I just don't see what the coaches like so much about Considine...

Bob Brookover:

The Considine issue is obviously one bothering a lot of people. What Johnson likes about him is that he knows the defense very well and he's a good coverage safety. Sean has to tackle better and if he doesn't I wouldn't be shocked if Mikell became the starter.

mikeloz:

were screwed,,i'm not looking forward to seein the LB's get knocked over from the O line,, were in trouble there

Bob Brookover:

LOL. I admire your optimism Mikeloz. Probably should wait until they play one that counts to have so much angst.

Bill:

What makes anybody think that McNabb can make it through the season injury free?

Bob Brookover:

There are no guarantees about McNabb. There are no guarantees about any player in the NFL. These are big, fast men crashing into each other. It's a high-risk sport. That's why it's important to have depth, which the Eagles had last year with Garcia and didn't have the year before with Mike McMahon. It was the difference between 6-10 and 10-6.

Nick:

Thank god this preseason is over, it's brutal waiting for the real stuff to begin. Now that it is about to, and after all that has developed, what are your predictions?

Bob Brookover:

Nick, I second that emotion. Preseason football does the same thing as a vacuum cleaner. Fortunately, I didn't have to cover last night's game. I spent some of that time making predictions for our special section. I picked the Eagles to go 12-4. I didn't pick them to get to the Super Bowl. I'll save the rest for now.

Paul Daniel:

Do you think the no-huddle offense that McNabb was executing in game 3 is a sign that they might try that in the regular season?

Bob Brookover:

Paul, I definitely think we'll see the Eagles in a no-huddle offense. We actually saw quite a bit of it last year. I just wish they ran it a little faster at times.

Mike in Seattle:

I'm not sure I believe Andy about Andrews. What does Cole or Jean-Gillis playing G do to the running game? Do we see a return to 70/30 passing?

Bob Brookover:

I think Andrews will be back at least by the second game if not the first one. He is now out of the walking boot and moving around better. As for the running game, I still think we're going to see a lot of pass any way, regardless of who is at right guard. I look for the ratio to be about 60-40 in favor of the pass.

Bob Brookover:

Any more questions? If not, I'm going back to work on my special section stories. It's just how I had planned to spend my Friday.

Bob Brookover:

Going once ...

Bob Brookover:

Going twice ...

Bob Brookover:

Going three times ...

Bob Brookover:

Like a 3-2 pitch to Ryan Howard, I'm outta here. Thanks. It was a lot of fun and next week we'll have a real game to talk about.

Wingo:

thanks for your time, Bob.