… since we’ll do a million of these 53-mans between now and the time they’re released (and that’s not criticizing, since I read them all), it is good to break it down into basically 15 spots that vary from prediction to prediction and/or are up for grabs between now and Sept.

More specific reaction to come.

One change though, I think if the Eagles go with Macho Harris at safety, they won’t keep 5 cornerbacks. With this roster, they have two safetys (Demps and Harris) who can play CB if needed. If they cut Ikegwonu, (sorry, JIBTA) then they’d have an extra spot for a sixth linebacker like Mays, White, Foku, or Hughes.

… is probably undershot by a few guys.

Juqua and Chris Clemons are very much in the very-unlikely-to-be-cut group, and I wonder where MJG stands in all of this. Health and Rosenhaus aside, why wouldn’t he be among the locks?

Westbrook’s shaky healthy probably opens the door for Lo Booker and maybe another running back instead of an extra LB or OL or S. Although Weaver can supposedly get some touches as a single-back or what have you in a pinch.

Anyway, plenty to nitpick over …

I tink Daniels and Mays both stay if Reggie Brown is cut. But he is supposedly playing lights out now and is gonna make it hard to cut him. I hope we get trade offers for him though.

Also, I think Tupou has a chance of making squad, possibly over McGlynn, Tupou can play Guard and Tackle, McGlynn is Guard and Center. That should be another interesting battle.

Mark this down, Brandon Gibson will give Hank Basket a run at WR. This guy is supposed to have been a late second rounder last year, early third.

But his team sucked badly, his play declined as a result of his bad QB. He may have a chance over Basket. I don’t see the Eagels cutting that kind of talent.

but no Kyle Eckel? I know we have Weaver now, but I thought Eckel was doing OK for coming in halfway through the season. It would be nice to have a insurance plan at FB if Weaver ever goes down and I would have to have Klecko at FB again.

i can see Jack potentially being a starter some day..

…just keep in mind he has yet to play a single NFL down. Ellis, while not great, has played at this level for a few years. The preseason is going to be HUGE for Jack

My fine 15…

1. RB Booker
2. WR Baskett
3. WR Gibson
4. TE Schobel
5. T Dunlap
6. G McGlynn
7. G Jean-Gilles
8. DE Clemons
9. DE Smith
10. DT Klecko
11. OLB Daniels
12. OLB White
13. MLB Mays
14. CB Ikegwuonu
15. S Harris

Now, I don’t necessarily think these are our 53 best players. I don’t even think AR and the coaching staff will necessarily think these are our 53 players, but these 53 are the best fit, especially when you consider that only 45 can be active on game day and that special teams is a huge part of the game. Special teams is the tie breaker and the guys who can’t play on the units will be cut if they’re on the bubble.

Here’s some notes, position by position.

QB: I don’t think anything’s happening here, but it wouldn’t shock me for the team to trade Feeley for the right offer if some desperate team had injuries in camp or preseason. They could always sign a third guy off the street.

RB: I like Eckel and he would have a good shot at making MY 53, but I’m not the coach. Three things work against him: The Weaver signing, which gives the team a big running back, Westbrook’s fragility, which necessitates keeping Booker as the emergency 3rd RB, and most importantly, the fact that there is no way Reid would suit up five RBs in the same game. He’s a tough cut, probably one of the last, but a cut nonetheless.

WR: On pure talent, Reggie Brown would make the team, but he needs a fresh start somewhere else and he can’t play special teams. Gibson is a rookie whose strengths are similar to Brown’s and he’ll be more comfortable learning the system, playing special teams, and perhaps most importantly for this season, not taking it too personally when he’s deactivated on game day. Reid’s not going to dress six WRs.

If Brown does make the team, it will be at Baskett’s expense, I believe, not Gibson’s. I doubt Reid is happy with all the reality show shenanigans Hank’s wife is engaged in and I don’t think he wants those distractions on the team. Kendra caused waves last year when she confronted Reid about why her then fiance wasn’t getting more playing time. Hank needs a good camp/preseason to secure his job.

TE: I like Eugene Bright and think he could be on the roster a year down the road, but for now he’ll be fortunate to crack the practice squad. Schobel or some other veteran not currently on the roster will be the third tight end. No way Reid goes with all young guys there.

T: Dunlap will get a spot because he’s the only legitimate backup LT we have. Herremans has some experience there, but not a lot. Justice is a goner because both Andrews brothers can play RT and we’ve got lots of versatility there. Tupou and Patrick can be practice squad candidates, if they impress.

G: Gibson will be a tough cut but we’re loaded at guard. He might get a shot if somebody goes down. Fanaika is a real longshot.

C: No jobs open here.

DE: Obviously Parker is a better player right now than someone like Tracy White, but I think he’ll be traded to some needy club. We can’t go another year with six ends. Smith deserves a chance to see the field, Abiamiri needs some serious snaps, and Clemons and Howard are good backup ends who can rush the passer.

DT: The team isn’t necessarily satisfied with Klecko as the fourth DT, but he’s the leader in the clubhouse and I’m sure Reid has a soft spot for the guy considering how he changed his whole body last year to play FB in a pinch. Howard can also be used there on rushing downs.

LB: Like I said, special teams are important, so both Daniels and White have value on the team. I think on game day they both dress and Mays doesn’t, making Gaither the de-facto backup MLB. I see a mysterious season-ending “stinger” injury in Fukou’s future.

CB: Ikegwuonu was supposed to be a first round caliber talent, so they won’t give up on him already unless he’s terrible in preseason.

S: Harris beats out Baker because of his versatility, attitude and playmaking ability. Practice squad for Langford.

Not dressing on game day:

QB: Feeley
WR: Gibson
TE: Schobel
T: Dunlap
G: McGlynn
DE: Smith
MLB: Mays
CB: Ikegwuonu

Practice Squad:

FB Mailei
TE Bright
OT Patrick
OT Tupou
DE Gaines
DT Jackson
OLB Fukou
S Langford