Amendola has a real shot to be a good player in this league.
The Eagles, like every other team in the NFL, had difficult decisions to make today. They had to decide who fit their team best, and who would be forced to hand in their playbook and hopefully find a new home in the NFL.
Among the Eagles' cuts are some guys who could really help out other NFL teams, or even return to the Eagles on their practice squad. Let's take a look at each guy, and what his future may be in the NFL.
Danny Amendola, WR
After watching Amendola in training camp and preseason, it looks like he could develop into a fantastic possession receiver. He's very good at making the catch, then has the ability to make guys miss. He looks a lot like Wes Welker, and if the Eagles can, they will put him on the practice squad. However, a receiver-needy team should grab him immediately.
Lorenzo Booker, RB
I'm personally a fan of Booker. I think with a power back in front of him, he could make some plays as a change-of-pace back. He looked great in training camp, but simply got beaten by Eldra Buckley, who has looked great since he got here.
Tank Daniels, LB
Daniels isn't much a linebacker, but he's a very good special teams guy. The Eagles even tried moving him to defensive end, where he didn't look bad, but Stewart Bradley's injury forced him back to linebacker. He didn't show enough to warrant a spot over Tracy White, who is pretty much the same player.
Kyle Eckel, FB
He's listed as a fullback, but if Eckel ever wants a future in the NFL, he just needs to work on his speed and move to tailback. As a blocker, which is important for a fullback, he's downright putrid. He whiffed on more blocks than even Lorenzo Booker, and needs to consider a position change. As a short-yardage back, he could help a bad team looking for depth.
Paul Fanaika, G
This was a real simple case of a rookie losing a numbers game. Since the day he was drafted, it wasn't expected that he would make the team with the plethora of talent ahead of him. He's a prime candidate to wind up on the practice squad, however, and should find himself as a member of this team in one way or another.
Josh Gaines, DE
The Penn State product had a lot of people rooting for him, and showed some real talent, but when it came down to the numbers he was the obvious odd man out. If a team were to pick him up and work with him, he could turn into a real player.
Mike Gibson, G
Another guy who is a prime candidate for the practice squad after spending all of last year on IR. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Eagles didn't ever call Gibson about a spot on the practice squad after a training camp and preseason in which he wasn't good, but he wasn't bad either. He just seemed to blend in, and may not be a guy the Eagles want to bring back.
Jack Ikegwuonu, CB
Since seeing him at training camp, I have been saying that Ikegwuonu would not make this team, and it turns out the Eagles' brass felt the same way. He got the axe in order to keep Dimitri Patterson, who simply outplayed Icky. Ikegwuonu obviously has some talent, but it appears as though the knee injury has robbed him of his recovery speed and leaping ability.
Dan Klecko, DT
The fan-favorite didn't have much of a chance to make the team once Jason Babin started playing well, but many were still hoping there would be room for the versatile defensive tackle. Unfortunately, there wasn't, but Klecko shouldn't be unemployed for long.
Reshard Langford, S
Langford simply didn't show enough in pass coverage to push any of the safeties on this team. He was more of a camp body throughout this offseason as he came in here with no expectations. He's a young guy, so it's possible that another team saw something in him.
Marcus Mailei, FB
Even in the preseason Mailei didn't see much time. He was the third fullback all throughout camp and the preseason behind Leonard Weaver and Eckel. With a roster spot like that, it was a foregone conclusion that he'd be a part of these cuts. However, he could wind up on the practice squad.
Rob Myers, TE
Myers was a victim of numbers. The Eagles decided they were only keeping two tight ends, and figured it was safer to cut the rookie free agent rather than a veteran like Tony Curtis. I'd be shocked if Myers didn't wind up on the practice squad, and eventually getting activated.
Dallas Reynolds, C
Reynolds didn't get much a chance, and didn't stand out during the chances he got. He was unspectacular during camp and the preseason. Most of the time, you forgot he was even on the time. Probably doesn't have much of a future in the NFL.
Matt Schobel, TE
Finally, the Schobel era is over. Does anything else need to be said? Bust out the party hats. On a serious note, it was difficult to watch Schobel's demise because he does have good hands, but between the alligator arms across the middle and the injuries, it was time for Schobel to go.
Bryan Smith, DE
Smith is a guy who never fit into what the Eagles were trying to do on defense. He wasn't big enough to play defensive end, nor was he athletic enough to move to outside linebacker in the 4-3 scheme. He could have some potential as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but may not latch on with another team long enough to show that potential.
Trae Williams, CB
Williams was mainly a special teams guy as it became obvious that Dimitri Patterson and Jack Ikegwuonu were battling for the last corner spot. He didn't play much defense, and was unspectacular when he did (notice the trend?). The writing was on the wall for Williams about a month ago.
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