Roster Trimmed to 72 with 3 Releases

by kingmcnabb5 on Sep 4, 2009 4:30 PM EDT

As we approach tomorrow’s 6 p.m. ET deadline where all franchises must have their rosters cut down to 53 players, the Eagles are moving ahead of schedule, for they have just trimmed their player total to 72 with 3 releases. TE Eugene Bright, DT Willie Williams, and LB Curtis Gatewood were the victims of the minimal cutdown today that basically just shortened the work load the team will have to deal with tomorrow.

Bright (pictured) was signed prior to the spring mini-camps to compete for a backup Tight End job, and originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2008. He primarily played at the DE position in his collegiate career at Purdue, and was a “long shot” to make the final roster of the Eagles this year.

Williams, signed in early August as extra competition for the DT spot, wasn’t expected to bring much to the table in terms of productivity for the team, but he did provide the club with some extra skills for preseason and Training Camp. He barely made an impact while on the field, though, so the only thing I’ll remember about him is his unique name (who doesn’t enjoy saying “Willie Williams” over and over again?).

Gatewood had basically no chance of making the team despite his decent ability to play the Linebacker position. He was signed roughly 2 weeks ago, and that’s clearly not enough time for a young player to develop a sense of a new team’s playbook, perform well, and earn a roster spot. Although he likely has no future with the team, there’s a chance the former undrafted rookie out of Vanderbilt could experience success on a team needy of a reserve LB.

The players released today were all expected to be seeing their way out of Philadelphia to begin with, so we certainly haven’t lost any major pieces to the team. But stay tuned, for the big cutdown is coming, and we’ll definitely be seeing a lot more players getting the release forms.

Picture source: online image. http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0398/7948/114248_feature.jpg

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DAMMIT

I was really hoping Booker was one of the ones to get the boot.

by philiafan14364 on Sep 4, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe tomorrow

Cody Benjamin

www.bleedgreenforever.wordpress.com

by kingmcnabb5 on Sep 4, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

i’m surprised bright got cut so quickly. i wasn’t sure if he was going to make it, but i didn’t think they would cut him today.

by awd777 on Sep 4, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

can he still be signed with the practice squad?

I would like him to get a year at TE since he was a DE in college and then have the eagles take another look at him next year…I thought he showed promise and potential.

by Tron79 on Sep 4, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

For only playing TE for the first time in Eagles camp, I thought he showed some promise. He has the size and, in my opinion, seemed to show nice awareness on the field. He came up with the hit of the game on special teams against NE. Hopefully they keep him around and check in on his progress next mini camp.

by J800 on Sep 4, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

ya

Bright is gonna be on the practice sqad. Makes too much sense

by birds'n'raiders on Sep 4, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

SORRY BUT..............

as we all know, Booker just has 2 go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Andy just has 2 come to terms that he was wrong on this one. Hes had his chances and weve seen wat he cant do. Now Buckley may turn out to be the same way but its his chance now to show wat he can do. There is absolutely no positve here in keeping booker, i will be very upset and stunned if Booker stays over Buckley.

by goldenbird09 on Sep 4, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions