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Throughout the day news has been coming out about the player the Philadelphia Eagles have released in order to get down to the 53 man deadline by 6 PM EST.
The Eagles officially confirmed these cuts.
#Eagles release OL Watkins, TE Harbor, WR Shepard, OL Bamiro, S Sims, RB Tucker, LB Long, LB C. McCoy and WR Salas
— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) August 31, 2013
Roster is now at 53. Notable members of roster include Igwenagu, Maehl, Marsh, Hughes, Coleman & three backups ILBs (Acho, Matthews & Knott)
— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) August 31, 2013
Cuts:
OLB Chris McCoy - What?! Most surprising cut. Had a strong training camp and overall played well for a backup OLB in the preseason. I thought he had earned a spot for sure.
WR Greg Salas - The first thing I ever wrote about Greg Salas was "Salas is the type of guy who will have a great training camp and get cut anyway". My feelings on him changed when the Eagles lost Maclin and needed depth at WR though. Welpadelphia. I was wrong.
WR Russell Shepard - I thought Shepard also had a legitimate chance to make the roster. One of the most hardest working players in training camp and played well on special teams. Practice squad target for sure.
S David Sims - Depth safety. The Eagles acquired him in a cut down day trade last year from the Browns. Thanks for your time, Mr. Sims.
OT Michael Bamiro - Bamiro was an interesting case because he essentially dodged the draft (read here). He looked too raw but has intriguing size and potential. He told reporters that the Eagles would like to put him on their practice squad.
OG Danny Watkins - Watkins' release was no surprise. Despite being a former first round pick, he didn't impress Chip Kelly enough to keep him. Watkins was actually more expensive to cut than to keep. Yeesh. Per Albert Breer, the Eagles tried to trade him but couldn't get a deal done.
TE Clay Harbor - Harbor had also been taking snaps at wide receiver. It was a slight surprise to see him go. It looked like the Eagles were going to keep 4 tight ends and he would have been the fourth. Harbor was drafted in the 4th round by the Eagles in 2010.
RB Matthew Tucker - Showed some potential in training camp and preseason but didn't earn a roster spot. He's a good practice squad candidate. I only saw the Eagles keeping three RBs but keeping one on the PS will mean they have 4 in practice.
OLB Travis Long - Has some potential, could be a practice squad target.
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Bubble players who made the roster:
FB/TE Emil Igwenagu - Good blocker, but he dropped more catches than anyone in training camp. Not sure how secure his roster spot is.
CB Curtis Marsh - Has a broken hand but the Eagles are desperate at CB and he was a former 3rd round pick.
CB Brandon Hughes - See above, but minus the 3rd round pick part. Also a reliable special teams player.
S Kurt Coleman - The Eagles needed depth at Safety.
WR Jeff Maehl - Oregon Duck bias! Special teams player and depth at WR.
ILB Casey Matthews - Had a good preseason up until the finale against the Jets.
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Remember, just because the Eagles roster have trimmed the roster down to 53 doesn't mean other players will be cut. The Eagles could be shopping around for players via trade or off the waiver wire. This has happened to Trevard Lindley the past two years. He's made the final roster initially only to be cut shortly after to make room for another addition.
A few areas the Eagles could look to add a player would be a OLB and CB. The Eagles only have 3 OLBs on the roster with McCoy and Long cut.
How do you feel about this Eagles 53 man roster?