As if the losses of Ellis Hobbs and Joselio Hanson were not enough to diminish the Eagles’ depth at the Cornerback position, the Birds will now possibly need to replace one of the starting roles in the secondary for perhaps a game or so. As explained last week, Hobbs was sent to the Injured Reserve list with a severe neck injury, ending his 2009 season, and Hanson was slapped with an unlikely suspension for abusing the NFL’s substance policy. Left two men down at their typically strong Cornerback spot, the Eagles then signed a pair of young, potential-filled, yet unproven defenders to man temporary roles in the secondary. After this past week’s loss to the Chargers, the Eagles are likely to be without yet another defensive back, as Sheldon Brown left Philly’s Week 10 matchup with a hamstring injury.

Brown’s status for practice this week, as well as Week 11 versus the Chicago Bears, is uncertain, and as of now, it appears as if the league’s former Mr. Irrelevant (a term used for a player that was the final pick in his draft class) will get his first career start with the Birds. That player is Ramzee Robinson (pictured, #28), a once-unknown Detroit Lion and backup performer, who made his Philadelphia debut last week with a pair of solid special teams tackles and several decent coverage attempts as Brown’s injury replacement. Robinson may not excite Eagle fanatics, for he’s simply not a well-known professional, but he is certainly thrilled at the opportunity of starting. The 3rd-year player said this in a recent press announcement:”[It's] a blessing…It’s something I’ve been praying [about] for the past eight weeks, and finally getting that call to have a workout with an organization, and being able to come out and contribute early.” Robinson also spoke regarding the preparation that needs to be executed in order to succeed in the team’s coming games: “It’s definitely not easy. This is not an easy defensive scheme to learn. But, being a professional and understanding my role and the situation that I’m in, I have to try to make the best of it and try to simplify the best way I can and be able to go out on the field and play ball, play fast.” “Starting today, it’s just about preparing for Chicago – and we need a win right now…Everybody has to pick their game up another notch, and we’re just going to continue to do that and let everything play itself out.”

In addition to Robinson’s possible increase in playing time, 2nd-year practice squad promotion Jack Ikegwuonu is also expected to make larger contributions to the defense after sitting out last week’s game because of roster unavailability. It will definitely be interesting to see how these young coverage men take to the potential task of filling a consistent starter’s duties, especially in a game with a lot of importance.

(picture source)