Hall, Mallett, Owens, More Signed to Practice

Practice?

Guess what Allen Iverson -- some people actually do get paid to practice.

The Eagles have completed their eight-man practice team roster.

The team signed five players Sunday to their practice squad who failed to make the 53-man roster. WR Chad Hall, RB Martell Mallett, DT Jeff Owens, OL Dallas Reynolds and C A.Q. Shipley were asked back to the nest after getting officially released earlier in the weekend.

You can add rookie WR Jeremy Williams who was recently cut by San Diego, veteran TE Garrett Mills who was most recently with the Vikings and S Chip Vaughn who was just cut by the Saints to the scout team as well.

Basically all these guys will be called upon to help the Birds prepare for upcoming opponents. Each of the five guys asked to return didn’t thrill coaches enough at training camp or in the preseason to earn a roster spot but each guy brings something to the table that could be a value as the Eagles prep for different teams.

Hall can help prepare for smaller receivers, returners and running backs. His smaller size is hard to replicate in most cases so he should be a value.

Mallett brings a hard north-south runner to the scout team. He has some live legs and could help prep for team’s like the Cowboys and Giants who have multiple rushing threats.

Owens is a big body in the middle. He basically can give the Eagle offensive linemen a big body to bruise on.

Reynolds is a practice team veteran and can be used a big body for defensive lineman to get some reps on.

Shipley actually showed some promise during the preseason. He could serve as a possible safety valve should Jamaal Jackson or Nick Cole continues to deal with injuries.

As for what to expect from Williams and Mills? Both guys should help the team prep for skill players on other teams and Williams being a young wideout could maybe fill-in on the active roster if one of the Eagles starters gets injured.

The real guy to keep an eye on could be Vaughn. He spent his rookie season with the Saints on injured reserve so he has never seen NFL action. Considering the Eagles are only carrying three safeties right now he could make for an intriguing possibility for the defensive backfield.

There is one risk with leaving players on the practice squad. Any other team could pluck a player up and sign them to their team. A young tackle like Owens or o-lineman like Shipley could easily be taken by another team looking to take a flier on a possible

For the most part though don’t expect to hear much from any of the Eagles scout teamers playing during games this season. Unless some major injuries force these guys into action.

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