Eagles Notes: Roster Starting to Take Shape
So the Eagles made a few changes today.
Some we expected others took Eagles fans by surprise.
Many of us figured that King Dunlap would be named the started at left tackle to replace the injured Jason Peters. While it’s a good sign that Dunlap, a 2008 seventh-round pick, has developed into a capable starter, the team can’t be happy that Demetress Bell couldn’t beat him out after signing a five-year, $34.5 million deal in April. However, at this point Dunlap has soundly beaten out Bell for the starting left tackle job.
“King won’t play(against the Jets),” Andy Reid stated. ”King right now is the starting left tackle.”
It sounds like Reid isn’t 100-percent sure about starting Dunlap, but doesn’t have much of a choice. My guess is that Dunlap will begin the year as the starter and when Bell feels more comfortable in Howard Mudd’s system he will take over the role as starter – a la Danny Watkins taking over for Kyle DeVan in 2011.
“I think he will continue to get better with time,” Reid said about Bell. “I just think it is a matter of picking a whole lot of stuff up real fast here. No, I am not worried about that. I am not worried about that at all.”
Over at Linebacker Brian Rolle came into Lehigh the starter and many observers felt that Jamar Chaney would win that job – today Andy Reid made a surprise announcement: “Akeem [Jordan] is going to work in there as a starter.”
The veteran Jordan has unseated Rolle as the Eagles’ starting weak-side linebacker.
Rolle struggled throughout the preseason and will join Jamar Chaney as the team’s primary backup linebackers. At 6-1, 230 Jordan is not a long-term answer. He will join rookie Mychal Kendricks, who will start on the strong side and DeMeco Ryans who will be the middle linebacker.
Many people thought Chaney would eventually win the job – however, it seems like his hamstring just isn’t ready.
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