The Eagles face the Jets tonight at 7 Eastern to mercifully wrap up their preseason schedule. Andy Reid traditionally doesn’t play many of his starters in the last preseason game, but there are still plenty of reasons to watch. The final 53 are anything but settled.
- DE Jason Babin has been impressive this preseason, making at least one big play in each of the first three games. You’d think he would have a roster spot already locked up, but would the Eagles keep him over their 3rd round project from last year Bryan Smith? One more solid game from Babin could make that decision a lot easier, especially given Smith has failed to impress.
- QB Kevin Kolb will play a lot tonight, and it should give him a golden opportunity to lock up the backup QB spot and silence a lot of his critics amongst the media and the Philly fanbase. Had he been a late round afterthought there wouldn’t be as much pressure, but considering he went high in the second round these expectations are justified.
- QB Michael Vick will also play. While we got a glimpse at where he is at physically and mentally last week, he should be in line for more snaps tonight. The best thing the Eagles can hope for is that he looks sharp, but doesn’t set the world ablaze. Why? Because a strong performance from Vick will only increase the number of irrational Eagle fans who would want him to start over McNabb at the first sign of trouble.
- The third runningback spot behind LeSean McCoy will officially be decided, although I think given his strong preseason it will go to Eldra Buckley. Lorenzo Booker hasn’t shown anything since he came to Philly in a trade with Miami over a year ago.
- WRs Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola are playing for a roster spot tonight. The outlook at receiver is actually pretty fascinating right now…Jackson, Curtis, and Maclin are locks to make the team (duh.) Baskett, Brown, and Gibson are on the bubble, and someone like Amendola is a longshot. I still think Reggie Brown could be traded, but if not do you keep Gibson over him? I predicted Gibson would be the late round dark horse to make the roster and I love what he’s shown so far in camp and the preseason, and Brown has had countless opportunities to assert himself in this offense and failed to do so.
Baskett will most likely make the team based on his size and run blocking ability, so you essentially have a three-man battle for the last receiver spot on the roster. Keep an eye on all of these guys tonight.
More on the Eagles/Jets finale:
- John Smallwood takes a look at Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola, and their quest to make the team.
- CSN Philly gives you a few more position battles to watch.
- The pressure is on Quintin Demps to show he can replace Brian Dawkins.
- Iggles Blog has some thoughts on the Birds QB situation.
