EAST RUTHERFORD - Alex Singleton played Thursday night. And he took it personally.
Doug Pederson rested everybody who's a lock to make the Eagles' final roster for the final preseason game against the Jets, and Singleton's goal is to become that guy who doesn't have to go out on the last day of the preseason and prove himself.
For guys like myself, you want to show (you belong)," he said. "A lot of guys aren't playing. You want to be one of those guys, but you're not. So you better go out there and earn that job and be ready to play Week 1. That's kind of the attitude. Just go take it, there's nothing to lose. It could be your first of many games or your last one. You've got to take to take full advantage of that.
The Jets ran 80 plays Thursday night, and Singleton was on the field for every one, as was T.J. Edwards.
Singleton, the former CFL star, did what he's been doing since camp began.
Ran around and hit people.
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He had 12 tackles and added two more on special teams, where he played 18 snaps.
That's 98 total snaps, which is insane.
Singleton is still a roster longshot, but he's a pretty solid linebacker.
I played my game and just did my assignments, did my job," he said. "When the plays come you've got to make them. I feel like I didn't miss a lot of tackles (this preseason), didn't miss a lot of fits and that's kind of what happens when the pads go on. You've got to be able to make tackles 1-on-1 in open space, and I think I did that these last four games.
Nigel Bradham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Zach Brown and Nate Gerry are roster locks, and L.J. Fort is a near-lock.
Edwards and Singleton are the next guys up if the Eagles keep six, with Edwards likely having the edge.
Singleton said he'll be sweating final cuts on Saturday afternoon.
But I think I did everything I could," he said. "Your time was these last six weeks, the last six months I guess you could say. Now it's just a waiting game. I feel like I put my best foot forward and that's all you can ask for from yourself. I'm confident with how I played.
Singleton grew up outside Los Angeles and played college football at Montana State. After unsuccessful bids to make the Seahawks, Patriots and Vikings, he landed in Calgary and spent three years with the Stampeders, where he was a two-time CFL all-star.
But the NFL kept beckoning, and as much as he loves playing in Canada - his mother was born in Toronto and he has dual citizenship - this is where he wants to be.
If it doesn't work out?
I guess I'm one of the few people (who played Thursady night) that knows I'll be playing football this year," he said. "If no one does sign me, there's nine teams in the CFL that I think would love to have me, and I know one, especially Calgary, would really enjoy having me back, so to have that is very special. To have a whole country behind you and supporting you and if things don't work out welcoming you back.
But …
"I'd rather not have my phone ring this weekend and prepare for Washington."
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