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The Philadelphia Eagles only have a little more than two weeks before the regular season gets underway for a team with high expectations.
Within those weeks, the team will be whittled down to a final 53-man roster with many dreams being dashed and realized along the way. At Bleeding Green Nation, Jason Brewer wrote his projections of what that roster will look like when all the dust settles.
The big surprises come in a few key spots, where Brewer has the Eagles keeping only two tight ends in Brent Celek and Clay Harbor. Most teams carry three tight ends, but Brewer feels Philly will compensate by leaving fullback Stanley Havili on the roster.
Another area of interest is defensive line, where the Eagles are extremely deep. Brewer has six defensive ends landing on the final 53, with his reasoning as follows:
All the defensive ends make it in this scenario. Despite the order, [Daryl] Tapp is obviously the last to make it although that's no slight on him. Jim Washburn likes to keep six defensive ends, having done so four times during his stint as the Titans' defensive line coach, and Tapp is quality player who gets consistent pressure and is good against the run. Of the guys on the bubble, Tapp is clearly the most talented, even if it is at a position of strength. I'm a little wary of the Eagles letting his contract cloud their judgement but there's no need to be frugal with the excess cap space.
One big surprise is Jaiquawn Jarrett being cut in this scenario, after being a second-round pick in 2011. The Eagles would be taking a chance with just three active safeties in Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman and OJ Atogwe.
Andy Reid and company have some tough choices to make going forward, regardless of who stays and who goes.
For more on the Eagles, please be sure to check out SB Nation blog Bleeding Green Nation and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.