It wasn’t easy. It never is. But this time, Chip Kelly said, the decisions were harder.
On Saturday, a few hours before the 4 p.m. deadline, the Eagles jettisoned 22 players and trimmed their roster to 52. Tim Tebow was among the casualties. Cornerback Jaylen Watkins, taken in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, and safety Ed Reynolds (fifth round in 2014) were also released. According to Kelly, linebacker Najee Goode was the last to get cut.
“It’s just difficult,” Kelly said. “All linebackers, we have 10 on the roster. It’s a difficult position. We probably have our most depth at that position. It was hard. Najee gave us everything he had and worked extremely hard. He was really productive. We just couldn’t fit in an 11th guy.”
Kelly spent about 15 minutes addressing his decisions. Some other thoughts on why the Eagles made certain moves:
Kenjon Barner over Raheem Mostert
Aside from the quarterback battle that really wasn’t, the biggest cut-down day question was which guy would end up with the fourth running back spot. The Eagles released Mostert, who led the team in preseason yards from scrimmage, and went with Barner.
“Kenjon stood out to everybody,” Kelly explained. “Kenjon stood out on special teams to coach [Dave] Fipp. Kenjon stood out as a real contributing guy as a running back, and he can also play receiver. He’s a real versatile guy. He earned a spot on this football team. Just like last year Trey Burton earned a spot on this football team as the fourth tight end. He did an unbelievable job and came into camp and had some versatility and kind of did the same thing — played running back for us at times, was an emergency quarterback for us also, as well as an outstanding special teams player.”
Speaking of …
NFL
Three tight ends, but how’s Zach Ertz?
At present, the Eagles have two quarterbacks. If they needed an emergency QB, Burton would probably be the guy, though Kelly said Josh Huff would also be considered.
The Eagles have three tight ends right now: Burton, Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. Ertz underwent groin surgery during the preseason. When asked whether Ertz will be available for the season opener, Kelly said his tight end is “coming along” and that the Eagles would “see where he is next week when we get back on the field on Wednesday.” Pressed on it further by a reporter with longish hair and a beard who likes to repeat questions (OK, fine, it was Howard Eskin), Kelly elected to have some fun:
"Zach Ertz is going to kick and he's going to be the third quarterback,” Kelly said. “We're excited about his versatility. Zach didn't even get operated on. He's been working on kicking and being the third quarterback. He just did it on the side so we could unveil it."
Denzel Rice, Jerome Couplin and E.J. Biggers are in
The Eagles elected to keep Rice and Biggers at corner and Couplin at safety. Rice made the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Coastal Carolina. Couplin, who played at William & Mary, was undrafted in 2014.
“We thought Denzel had a really nice camp for us,” Kelly said. “It actually started back in OTAs. He did a really nice job. Myself and Cory [Undlin] and Billy [Davis] feel really comfortable with Denzel.”
Couplin made the Lions’ 53-man roster last season but was waived in October. The Bills claimed him for a week, then waived him. Couplin then washed up on the Lions’ practice squad before the Eagles signed him.
“We really like Jerome,” Kelly said. “He’s really good in the run game. I think he fits. He’s a real tall, long defender. He can run really well. He’s an outstanding tackler. We feel he’ll really be able to contribute on special teams. We felt he had the best upside.”
Jaylen Watkins and Randall Evans are out
The Eagles took Watkins in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. Evans was a sixth-round pick in the 2015 draft. Both were let go by the Eagles. When one reporter remarked that it was “a little bit unusual” to release a fourth-round pick like Watkins, Kelly disagreed.
“I don’t think that’s unusual,” Kelly said. “I think the best players earn spots on this team. I don’t look at where they came in at or what their draft selection was or all those other things. And if you do, I think you’re going to hurt your football team. The best players play. I don’t think it has anything to do with Jaylen. I think it has to do with the play of E.J. Biggers and the play of Denzel Rice.”
Ninth lineman: Josh Andrews not John Moffitt
There was some uncertainty about who would end up with the last seat among offensive linemen when the music stopped. That honor goes to Andrews. Moffitt is out. Kelly cited Andrews' ability to play center and guard as the reason why he had the edge.
“Explosive. Multiple positions. Smart guy,” Kelly said about Andrews. He continued: “I don’t think it was anything that John did, it was what Josh did. Josh played really well for us and he has position versatility, which you need in a backup player.”
Marcus Smith on regular roster
Smith, last year’s first-round pick, has struggled during his time with the Eagles. There was speculation among some fans and media that Smith might be released. That didn’t happen. Smith has also been dealing with a hamstring issue. When asked whether Smith would begin the season on the regular roster or the injured reserve (designated to return), Kelly’s reply was clipped.
“He’s on the regular roster,” Kelly said.