In or Out: Taking a Look at the Eagles' Bubble Players

Written By Bob Cunningham On Sunday, August 29, 2010

Could Harris go from starter to cut in only one year?



The first roster cut-downs came and went without any surprises, but the final cut-down is definitely going to feature a few surprise cuts. Some fan favorites will have to be let go for the good of the team, and some moves will have fans scratching their head until it bleeds.

Outside of the starters, there are a few backups with solidified spots such as Juqua Parker, Riley Cooper, Nick Cole, and others. But there are also plenty of guys who will be fighting until the very end just to remain employed.

All of these guys will have a chance to shine in the fourth and final preseason game as the starters likely won't see the field, so they'll all have an opportunity to change the minds of Andy Reid and Howie Roseman -- for better or worse.

Let's take a look at the fate of some select bubble players as it stands so far through three preseason games.



Charles Scott, RB - Out

After a move to fullback, things became very shaky for a guy who came into camp as a fan favorite. But as I said when the Eagles drafted Scott, he just doesn't seem to fit Reid's offensive scheme at all. There's no way the Birds keep two fullbacks, and Scott just isn't a viable option at running back at this point.



Martell Mallett, RB - Out

Mallett has shown a lot in the preseason. He's a quick, shifty guy who seems to fit what Reid looks for in a running back, but he has come up short on special teams. And if Reid is going to keep a third running back, he had better be able to play special teams.



J.J. Arrington, RB - Out

Joe Mays was sent to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Arrington and, so far, the move has not exactly panned out for Philly. But, even if Arrington gets cut, the Broncos will still have to give up a sixth-round pick in next year's draft.



Eldra Buckley, RB - In

If the other three are out, then Buckley is obviously in. He's shown he's a good north and south runner and is a guy the team cannot afford to lose due to his ability to play special teams. If Bobby April has any say in the final roster at all, Buckley is already a lock.



Hank Baskett, WR - Out

DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Kelley Washington, and Riley Cooper all seem like locks to make the team and make up the receiving corps. Baskett has seen little time in the preseason and isn't a good enough special teams player to warrant making room for him, especially with an ace like Washington on the roster.



Chad Hall, WR - Out

This is a damn shame, but there's just no room and he has not shown enough as a receiver to keep him around. With every punt return I was rooting for Hall to somehow find the endzone, but his efforts were lackluster at best. Hopefully another team finds a spot for him somewhere because it would be nice to see a good guy like Hall get a break.



Jeff Owens, DT - Out

With Mike Patterson, Brodrick Bunkley, and Antonio Dixon all looking like locks before Training Camp even started, there was only one spot at defensive tackle left. And now, with Trevor Laws' emergence during the offseason, all the spots are gone. Owens could be a prime candidate for the practice squad, however.



Dimitri Patterson, CB - In

With the way he plays, it's not difficult to root for Patterson. He's a hard-nosed guy who is clearly just doing everything and anything he can to make the roster. He's pushed a few guys off to the side with his impressive play, and will likely be the fifth corner.



Macho Harris, CB/S - Out

When guys start getting moved all around to different positions, it usually means bad things for the aforementioned player. Harris spent all of his rookie season as a safety, and then was moved to corner during the offseason, and is now being moved back to safety. That says the team doesn't like what they've seen so far, and Harris could go from starter to cut in one year.



Moise Fokou, OLB - Out

It's a true sign of the times when Harris and Fokou -- both starters at certain points in the 2009 season -- find themselves looking for work only one season later. Like Harris, Fokou has been moved around (from linebacker to defensive end) and has seen limited snaps in the preseason.



Jamar Chaney, OLB - In

Chaney has shown a quickness and tackling ability that cannot be ignored. He's not only a viable option as a backup, but has looked good playing special teams as well. Cutting Chaney would simply be too hard to justify as he's clearly outperformed Fokou.



Kurt Coleman, SS - In

Like Chaney, Coleman has made a mark on special teams. Combine that with the way he's been able to pick up the defense and the Birds have their second seventh-round rookie on the roster.


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