The preseason and training camp are drawing near for Philly, but not all of the usual faces are assured anything.
Who stays up to watch wrestling? Do you recall Wrestlemania XL? How awesome was that? Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles… Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce interrupted the celebration. Even though we adore Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes’ performance to “finish the story” was the night’s high point. The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker also made appearances.
In relation to tales, it would be satisfactory if the Birds completed the one they have been telling us for some time. There’s hope that the team this year can provide a satisfying conclusion. The majority of you are well aware of what happened.
Knowing they are in hot water, a few familiar figures show up at training camp.
The start of Nick Sirianni’s tenure as head coach came with an unexpected postseason berth. In his second season as head coach, Philly made it to the Super Bowl as the NFC’s representative. We are all aware of the outcome. A team that may have been the greatest we had ever seen turned into the most dismal one in a single evening.
We believed that the goal of last year was to seal the deal and go back to the main stage to take home the trophy. Though it wasn’t meant to be, there is a chance to get back to the summit of the mountain. While the roster is strong, it is shallow. But we should slow down before we go too far.
Until we go to training camp, nothing occurs. Is it reasonable to assume that a few Birds from the roster from the previous season will be joining training camp in water that is significantly warmer than usual?
Zech McPhearson and Eli Ricks are cornerbacks.
Okay, so Zech McPhearson wasn’t actually a member of the team during the previous season. That was resolved by a preseason injury that ended his campaign, but prior to that, we believed he was the front-runner to be the backup slot corner. Since then, the plot has developed more.
Avonte Maddox is still employed, albeit for a single year. Cooper DeJean was added by Philly in the NFL Draft. Zech is not going to like that. Now let’s talk about Eli Ricks.
Eli, an undrafted free agent signed after the 2023 NFL Draft, had a harder time making the team again after Quinyon Mitchell was selected in the most recent NFL Draft and Isiah Rodgers was reinstated.
Josh Jobe is the superior player on special teams, thus Ricks and Jobe may fight for the final spot on the 53-man roster.
Edge rushers Tarron Jackson and Patrick Johnson
Yes, so this is still a little bit of cheating. In reality, Taron Jackson did not make the 53-man roster from the previous season. He was cut during the final preseason roster cuts, but the following day he was added to the scout team.
He stayed there until January 18, when he signed a futures contract. If he and Patrick Johnson are to make the roster, they have a steep hill to climb.
The latter played 38 snaps throughout his 15 games of action in the previous season (and another 299 on special teams). Johnson will once more join the team through special teams work, but he isn’t certain anything with the new players.
Linebacker Ben VanSumeren
On August 29 of last season, Ben VanSumeren was released from the team and re-signed to the practice squad. On November 5, he was activated to the active roster and had 10 snaps on special teams. After being added to the active roster on November 30, he went on to record six tackles against the bitter rival New York Giants on Christmas Day.
Something is going on here. Although Zack Baun, Devin White, and Oren Burks were added to the linebacker room during free agency by Philly prior to drafting Jeremiah Trotter Jr., this young linebacker prospect is talented.
Ben’s situation isn’t necessarily dire, but it does make it harder for him to make the 53-man roster. Here, keep an eye on the opposition. It might be really fascinating.
McCollum, Tristin; safety
Last season, Trisin McCollum made three appearances. He participated in 29 plays and 59 special teams snaps. He worked mostly in weeks sixteen and eighteen.
Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship are integral parts of this team’s future, as they ought to be. It’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson back home after a short absence.
Tristin McCollum has a chance to make this team, but there are a few factors to consider. The Eagles may decide to bench a few players at safety in order to keep more players at other positions. Not to mention, Philly has some versatility because a few DBs have cross-trained at the position.
Brett Toth, guard/offensive tackle
The Eagles have added Max Scharping, Mekhi Becton, and Matt Hennessy via free agency since the conclusion of the most recent NFL season. In the NFL Draft, they chose Trevor Keegan and Dylan McMahon. Soon after, as undrafted rookie free agents, Gottlieb Ayedze and Anim Dankwah were added.
If our calculation is right, Brett Toth has enjoyed three seasons as an Eagle. Despite making one start in 17 games, he is by no means a permanent fixture. If Toth is on the roster this season, don’t be startled. If Philly decides to move on, don’t be astonished.
Not to mention: Don’t we get sick of hearing about James Bradberry in tales like these?
We’ve decided that we’re sick of typing (or hearing) James Bradberry’s name whenever we make up stories like these, even though it’s obvious he’s under fire and ought to be included. He is still here as of right now. As the offseason progresses, we’ll see whether that changes. Training camp is about to begin. Could he be added to a trade package or released?
Soon, we’ll find out.