Joique Bell is one of a few options to replace Mike Bell.


Perhaps as an indicator that the team is re-thinking its decision to sign running back Mike Bell, they welcomed Buffalo Bills practice squad running back and undrafted free agent Joique Bell to the NovaCare complex on Monday for a workout.

Rumors began flying that Bell had officially signed on, but according to the Eagles, that has not happened just yet. "Something could happen," however, according to head coach Andy Reid.

Even Bell apparently thought he was an Eagle, since he tweeted "On the plane Heading to Philly....ur boy is a "EAGLE" now.....haha." But according to his most recent tweet, three hours ago, Bell was informed that nothing is official and let us know he's "Goin thru anotha physical."

The team didn't bring him in for nothing. Clearly they're considering making a move and want to get a look at every guy they can. The fact that they're giving (Joique) Bell a physical shows they're not messing around and, at the very least are sending a message to (Mike) Bell.

Bell was originally brought in to be the Eagles' power back. Leonard Weaver was always going to be the short-yardage guy, but when they were looking for someone who could punish the opposing defense, Bell was supposed to be that guy.

And with Weaver sidelined, Bell was going to be counted on to be the short-yardage guy as well.

But after his dreadful display in the first two weeks, it looks like the team is starting to re-think Bell's spot on the team.

The Eagles have Martell Mallett, who was impressive during the preseason, on their practice squad, but he doesn't fit the mold they're looking for if they're going to replace Mike Bell. Joique Bell, at 5'11, 220 pounds, does. He was also very impressive in the preseason, racking up 152 rushing yards on 27 carries.

If the Birds sign Bell off the Bills' practice squad, he would immediately have to be put on the active roster, and I would expect him to be active against the Jaguars as well. The Eagles are very thin at running back and could not afford not to use him right away.

A move will likely be finalized, one way or the other, before Wednesday.

UPDATE: Bell has officially been signed, and Hank Baskett has been cut to make room.

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Mallett is about three good games from a roster spot.


For all the talk about getting rid of some of the preseason and how much fans hate it, I enjoy the preseason almost as much as I enjoy regular season games. Not as much, of course, but there's just something about being able to see exactly what the coaches are seeing in their evaluations of a guy that just makes me giddy as a schoolgirl.

Every year there are a few guys that everyone is watching during these exhibition games, but this season all eyes seem to be squarely on Kevin Kolb and what he's doing. That's all well and good, but for me, it's the bubble guys who are truly interesting to watch.

These are the guys with their backs against the wall who are facing the realization that unless they show something on the field, they're going to get shown the door and, come September, could help cause a spike in the country's unemployment rate.

So, with that in mind, let's take a look at five guys to be mindful of in Act II of the Eagles' 2010 preseason, in no particular order.



1. Mike McGlynn

I've said repeatedly I believe McGlynn should be the guy at center and with Nick Cole's absence it could become a reality. Cole is falling behind every day he has to miss, and McGlynn seems to be taking full advantage.

McGlynn had a very good opening preseason game and, if he can build on that performance, he could put an end to the battle at center pretty quickly.



2. Martell Mallett

Like McGlynn, Mallett is trying to capitalize off an impressive first game and parlay that into a job. McGlynn is in no real danger of getting cut, but Mallett has certainly not been afforded that type of job security. With guys like Charles Scott, Eldra Buckley, and J.J. Arrington all fighting for the same job, Mallett is going to have to be special to earn a spot on the final roster.



3. Chad Hall

A lot has been said about Hall here and anywhere else discussing the goings-on around the Eagles, and for good reason. Hall is a guy who has shown some flashes in camp and the Eagles seem ready to take DeSean Jackson off the punt return unit if they can find a suitable replacement.

Hall will be afforded every opportunity to be that guy, but he's got to be better than he was last week if he wants a chance to do what so many think is impossible and wind up on the final roster.



4. Austin Howard

I would be lying if I said I knew much about this kid coming into camp. All I remember is being at Lehigh University early on and checking the little card they gave you with everyone's name and number wondering who in the world this big, nasty guy was.

Howard's got a classic mean to him that would quickly endear him with this city and just enough raw talent to perhaps warrant a roster spot as Jason Peters' backup. He'll have to continue to knock some people around, but all signs point to a roster spot for this kid.



5. Clay Harbor

When talking about pleasant surprises, it takes a blind man not to mention Harbor. He caught everything that came his way during Training Camp and seems to have picked up the offense very quickly. He was the Birds only non-BCS draft pick, so learning an NFL offense was definitely a concern everyone had with Harbor entering camp.

He and Cornelius Ingram (another guy to watch) will be battling it out to see who will be Brent Celek's backup, but it's likely that both guys will see time in certain packages in certain areas of the field. Harbor, however, could be a surprise difference-maker this season and, if you're blessed with DVR or TiVo, make sure you rewind and watch this kid when possible.
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Scott will be in a serious fight for a final roster spot.


Anyone who tuned into the Eagles' preseason game against the Jaguars this past Saturday so they could see sixth-round rookie running back out of LSU Charles Scott run the ball had to turn the game off feeling a bit cheated.

Despite being a fan-favorite to make the final roster in early September, Scott has been moved to the role of backup fullback and didn't receive a single carry in the Birds' first preseason game.

Instead, even with backup running back Mike Bell and recent acquisition J.J. Arrington unable to play, Eldra Buckley and Martell Mallett saw the majority of the carries once LeSean McCoy called it a night.

The Eagles will most certainly not carry two fullbacks, with Leonard Weaver already on board as the clear-cut starter, so Scott could be in serious trouble.

Making matters worse for Scott is the fact that Mallett played well. He had 15 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, and showed the quick step that made him the CFL's Rookie of the Year last season.

Mallett is a cut-and-go type of guy who can catch out of the backfield very well. Scott is a big bruising running back with, at best, average hands. If you've been watching how Andy Reid puts his rosters together over the past 11 seasons, it's fairly obvious who he'd prefer on the team.

I would expect Scott to make it through the first round of cuts when the roster is trimmed from 80 to 75 at the end of August, but the final 53-man roster could, and most likely will, be a different story.

Scott could be practice squad candidate, but it's more likely a power running team falls in love with his size and scoops him up before the Eagles get a chance to stash him away.
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Hopefully Harris will use his newly-acquired bulk.


At the most recent weigh-ins, running back LeSean McCoy and free safety Macho Harris both bulked up from their 2009 weights, something that will help out both guys next season as they are expected to step up and earn more playing time.

McCoy bulked up from 198 to 210 pounds, while Harris went from 187 to 195 pounds.

While the extra 12 pounds will help McCoy withstand the beating he's going to take as the main ball-carrier next season, it's Harris' weight-gain that could have the biggest impact.

Perhaps the extra eight pounds will make him more willing to attack the man he's tackling, rather than attempting to simply arm-tackle everyone. The way he seemed to play afraid of getting hurt was enough to drive me insane and call for his job on more than one occasion.

Hopefully McCoy becomes more willing to block and take on tacklers, as well.

Two brand new Eagles were also weighed in. Former "Most Outstanding Rookie" of the CFL, running back Martell Mallett weighed in at 200 pounds and 5 feet 11 inches tall, while fullback Dwayne Wright weight in at 234 pounds and also 5 feet 11 inches tall.

It's a slow day in Eagle-land, folks. I bring the news as it comes.
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Mallett is a no-risk, all-reward move for the Birds.


With Brian Westbrook retiring (maybe), the Eagles will need another running back to put behind LeSean McCoy, and to challenge Eldra Buckley for the backup job.

The Eagles are known for their wide-reaching scouting program, signing players from Mexico and Australia, for instance, so it's not surprising that they would jump at the chance to sign the CFL's Rookie of the Year, running back Martell Mallet.

Mallett played college ball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a Division I-AA school, so it's not exactly shocking that the NFL didn't take notice coming out of college. The CFL apparently did, however, and it has earned him a spot in the NFL after a one-year detour.

During his one season with the BC Lions, Mallett rushed for 1,280 yards and six touchdowns on 214 carries (5.8 yards per carry). He also caught 43 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns.

So what does this mean for the Eagles? Well, it doesn't necessarily mean anything. There's no chance that he makes this team, or any team in the NFL for that matter. However, by getting him signed on early it gives him time to learn the offense and be ready for May when the team reconvenes after the draft.

The level of competition in the CFL obviously isn't what it is in the NFL, but that kind of production at any professional level, and as a rookie, is very impressive. The upside for this kid is that if he doesn't stick in the NFL, he would obviously be welcomed back to the CFL.
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