Two Interesting Roster Battles

It is almost the time when rosters are solidified in the NFL, and the picture should be coming clearer. The Eagles still have some interesting battles on their roster, for example, on the Eagles defensive line there are some real questions. It is clear Bunkley, Patterson, Cole, Thomas, Abiamiri, Laws (Eagles 2nd round pick from Notre Dame), Howard (going into camp, I never thought Howard would make the cut, but 1. he came into camp in the best shape of his life, 2. Victor Abriami suffered a wrist injury opening the door, and 3.Howard is able to rush from the right, left,and as a nickel tackle), and Klecko seem to be solid. Klecko has played well as the fourth tackle. I think one would like to have a guy like Klecko who has played in a couple of Super Bowls, and is a lunch pail type player in the locker room. The interesting question comes with Bryan Smith, a 3rd round defensive end that is supposed to be a good pass rusher, Chris Clemons, who was just signed this off season and given a $4 million bonus, and Jerome McDougle, a former 1st round pick. McDougle is an interesting story. A former 1st round pick from Miami, he always seemed on the verge of making an impact when he would suffer a weird accident or injury - including being shot! It looked as if he would be cut this year, but he has made play after play this preseason. If you are the Eagles, who do you cut? This years free agent signing (Clemons) who has been hurt all preseason, the rookie third rounder (Smith), or the guy who has clearly played the best of the three, but has never been healthy in the past for weird reasons?? The Eagles will keep four tackles (Klecko, Patterson, Laws, Bunkley) and four defensive ends (Abriamiri, Cole, Thomas, Howard). Would they keep ten defensive lineman? Even if they do they need to cut one of the three. Tough call. Whoever gets cut will wind up on a NFL roster.
The other real interesting battle is at fullback. The Eagles will only keep one, but they have three on their roster - Jed Collins, Tony Hunt, and Jason Davis. Davis was the favorite coming in to camp. As a matter of fact, the Eagles unloaded last years starter, Thomas Tapeh, thinking the position would be up graded. Davis has not taken the position as expected. Collins actually started the Carolina game. He didn't stand out. Hunt has a great game at tailback, and on special teams, and Hunt started against the Pats. Hunt gives the Eagles more versatility as Hunt could lineup in one back sets and play as a tailback. The question is will Hunt be able to move a linebacker on 3rd and 1 or pick up a Mike linebacker on passing downs. The Eagles do not exactly feature the fullback position. With Westbrook, Booker, and Buckhalter, the Eagles need a special teams player and blocker more than a ball carrier. It will be interesting to watch as the Jets game is the last chance to audition for these three players.
I will be at the Jets-Eagles game at the Linc. I just found three tickets for $15 so I will take two of my sons. For those of you who have never been to Lincoln Financial, it is a really great, fan-friendly stadium.