The Eagles made some moves over the weekend to cut down their roster -- on Monday they made a move to get something for a player who was likely not going to make the cut.
The Birds sent disappointing rookie fullback Charles Scott to the Cardinals for rookie cornerback Jorrick Calvin.
The rookie back was likely not going to make the 53-man roster cut set for Saturday. At least he still is on an NFL roster unlike G Greg Isdaner, G Zipp Duncan, WR Jared Perry, S Ryan Hamilton and LB Simoni Lawrence. The young players were the latest Birds to go as the team cuts the roster down to 75 players by Tuesday.
Scott, who was picked by the Birds in the sixth round of the draft, only managed one carry for two yards during the preseason and with Pro-Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver looking healthy and strong, Scott would have been likely destined for the practice squad at best.
Instead, Scott is going to get a chance to serve as a blocker for Arizona.
Weaver, LeSean McCoy and Mike Bell are sure things to make the Eagles roster. So with Scott out of the picture, at least one or two of the Eagles other running backs, Eldra Buckley, J.J. Arrington and/or Martell Mallett, look closer to making the opening day roster.
As for the guy the Birds got back for Scott, Calvin is a 5-foot-11, 184 pounder out of Troy. The Cards had picked up the 23-year-old in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. He recorded five tackles in Arizona’s three preseason games.
Ken Kelly with the Bleacher Report explains why the Eagles dealt Scott:
Many dynasty league owners were excited when Scott fell to the Eagles in the sixth round of the draft, due in part to a failed Senior Bowl physical due to collarbone issues. That excitement grew as he quickly impressed in OTAs.
Unfortunately, his strong play just didn’t last.
Scott was recently moved to fullback and had only one carry the entire preseason. The Eagles had hoped he would evolve into the “thunder” to McCoy’s “lightning,” but that just wasn’t happening.
...Late round rookie picks are always a gamble. At least we know this one’s fate early on.
The Eagles took plenty of gambles during the this year’s draft -- that will happen when you pick 13 players -- and everyday that passes it looks like a handful of their 2010 draftees just won’t have a spot on the 53-man roster.
Other draft picks likely to be released in the coming days include seventh-rounders LB Jamar Chaney and DT Jeff Owens. And, in no way should fourth-round LB Keenan Clayton or fifth-round LB/DE Ricky Sapp be over confident that they will stick with the Birds.
The whole draft doesn't seem lost though. Top-pick Brandon Graham has looked sharp as he has worked his way into a starting role. Second-rounder Nate Allen looks like the free safety of the future. And, at least two of the Eagles late-round picks, TE Clay Harbor (fourth round) and S Kurt Coleman (seventh round), look like they could be steals.
