Ikegwuonu, Klecko Among 17 Released; Vick Temporarily Removed via Exemption; Tupou Placed on IR

Moments ago, the Eagles made their final decisions on the roster, and after evaluating their moves, I have to say I am very pleased and (thankfully) not surprised by any maddening and ridiculous decisions. In this post, you’ll find a complete rundown of the players on their way out, and details on each one’s individual tenures as an Eagle.

Before going in-depth with the news, take a look at the list of the moves made:

• DT Dan Klecko released
• DE Bryan Smith released
• CB Jack Ikegwuonu released
• MLB Matt Wilhelm released
• TE Matt Schobel released
• CB Trae Williams released
• DE/DT Josh Gaines released
• OLB Tank Daniels released
• FS Reshard Langford released
• WR Danny Amendola released
• RB Lorenzo Booker released
• C Dallas Reynolds released
• OG Paul Fanaika released
• OG Mike Gibson released
• TE Rob Myers released
• FB Marcus Mailei released
• FB Kyle Eckel released
• OT Fenuki Tuopu placed on Injured Reserve list
• QB Michael Vick placed on Suspension/Exemption list

To me, the cuts of Klecko, Smith, and Ikegwuonu (pictured above) were the boldest of the bunch. Although I predicted that Smith and Ikegwuonu wouldn’t make the team in my personal 53-man roster projection, it still seems surreal at times due to the fact that both of those players were relatively high-round draft picks and were considered to have a ton of potential. I feel that Klecko’s removal was partly bold, because he has been a versatile man on the team, playing both DT and FB.

Amendola, who was signed merely to provide the team with some competition, performed very well this preseason, and despite his great efforts, was cut loose because there’s simply not enough roster space for him. He has a lot of heart and determination, and will probably find a spot on another team’s practice squad or regular roster.

Booker (pictured below), a 2-year veteran at the RB position, came to the Eagles in a draft-day trade last season with high expectations. However, as he leaves today, many fans–including myself–feel that his competition this offseason–Eldra Buckley–is a better fit for the team. He never produced, and failed to gain the attention that he was hyped up to get while in Philly, but will likely find a home elsewhere.

Daniels was edged from the team by fellow LB Tracy White, and both were vying for a reserve spot/special teams role. Although he is able to fill in at his position, he didn’t do it very productively this offseason, and that’s partly why he lost his job. White gives the team a more reliable and experienced option.

Eckel was perhaps one of the most argued cuts of the bunch. Although he was loved for his hard-nosed style of running as a fullback, he just did not look good this offseason, especially with the presence of new FB Leonard Weaver around. He joined the team midway through 2008, and was decent as a power RB/occassional FB, but had little chance of cracking this year’s roster.

Rookie OG Paul Fanaika displayed above-average talent while playing as a backup during mini-camps, Training Camp, and preseason, but due to the immense amount of veteran depth on the roster, Fanaika didn’t have a great shot at making the final roster. His athleticism and potential may land him on the team’s practice squad, though.

Gaines, a rookie free agent signing out of Penn State, didn’t make much of an impact when he first joined the squad, but after transitioning to the DT spot, he was able to experience some success. That success wasn’t enough to make the team, however, as the organization opted to keep only 3 Defensive Tackles.

Gatewood, as mentioned in a previous post, had a tough shot at making the team when he first signed. He is a young LB who has the ability to play his position well, but saw little playing time in the preseason, and because of a limited amount of time to study the team’s philosophy, was expectedly released. If the team sees enough upside in him, there’s a chance he might be added to the practice squad.

‘08 rookie Mike Gibson improved tremendously after spending the entire previous season on IR, and looked to be tight competition for fellow linemen Mike McGlynn and Fenuki Tupou. However, he may not be quite fit enough to take up a roster spot. Look for him to latch onto another franchise in the near future.

Langford surprisingly stuck around until today’s final cutdown. Why is that surprising? Well, because the only thing significant this rookie free agent FS executed was the game-winning tackle agaiinst the Jaguars in Week 3 of the preseason. And while that’s great, it doesn’t earn you a full-time job on an NFL team.

Mailei is probably the most likely released player to be eventually signed to the practice squad, for he showed a good amount of talent in the preseason, scoring a TD and completing many solid blocks. Although Weaver is locked in as the starting FB, but for now, that’s only for a year. I believe Marcus Mailei is the future at fullback for this team, and I like that idea.

Myers was added in Camp to provide the Birds with a competitor for the backup TE job after Cornelius Ingram was lost for the season with an ACL tear. He caught nearly everything thrown to him, and had a nice preseason game, but doesn’t have as advanced blocking skills and consistency as fellow TE Tony Curtis. Don’t be surprised if Myers is signed to the practice squad.

Reynolds was likely one of the most versatile players cut. He played all of the offensive line positions in college, and fought for a backup job after being signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. Alike some of the other released players from today, Reynolds will probably be seen next on the Eagles’ practice squad, and will take another shot at earning a reserve line spot next offseason.

Schobel, as I predicted on my personal 53-man roster projection, was released, and was getting overshadowed by rookies and late free agent additions throughout Camp and the preseason. He sustained a leg injury in practice, saw very little playing opportunities in the exhibition matchups, and was clearly losing out on a chance to retutn to the team as the 2nd-string TE and special teams player.

Wilhelm was supposed to make a strong push for the starting MLB position after signing as a free agent, but instead leaves today as the player pushed from the roster because of a lack of production. I expected the former Charger to explode with aggressiveness and fight hard for a 2nd-string or starting spot, but he displayed a minimal amount of success, and is justly making his way out of Philly.

Williams, one of three players competing for the 5th and final CB spot, lost out on opportunities to win the job with inconsistent play and only a few significantly executed coverages. He appeared decent at the least in Training Camp, but never capitalized on extended playing time in the preseason.

Rookie OT Tupou, who was placed on the Injured Reserve list, apparently suffered a season-ending injury, but I am just about positive that this is one of those fake “keep-the-player-on-IR-so-he-can-come-back-next-year-and-not-go-to-another-team” moves. I never heard official news about the big freshman’s injury, and see this as a smart “lie” of a transaction, so to speak. Tupou should make a run for a backup o-line job next offseason.

For those confused about the moving of Vick to the “exempt list”, it basically means that he has been removed from the 53-man roster temporarily in order to preserve a spot until he returns in Week 3 of the regular season. It also allows the team to keep QB A.J. Feeley and have extra time to attempt to trade him.

Now that the roster is set, we are ready for Eagles football! More evaluation on the final depth chart and player list will come later, but for now, let’s reflect upon the moves made today, and continue to get ready for the regular season!

Picture source: Online image. http://photos.lehighvalleylive.com/photos/express-times/5e73e9252333fc7d88c14dde6b625eab.jpg