Training Camp Battles

It's almost that time of year. Training Camp. Time to watch young players battle it out with veterans and earn spots on the Eagles roster. It will be a tough, grueling couple of weeks. Intense battles will loom as there are 80 players vying for 53 spots. Those not selected to the active roster might have a chance to end up on the Practice Squad.

The biggest three battles in Training Camp IMO are as follows:

Offensive Line, Tight End and Fullback.

Last year the Offensive Line was banged up at different times. Only C Jammal Jackson was healthy enough to play all 16 games. This year health will again be a key.

Starters this year again should be LT William Thomas, LG Shawn Andrews, C Jammal Jackson, RG Todd Herremans and RT Jon Runyan.

That is not etched in stone though. Winston Justice has been taking reps at OG. We drafted Max Jean-Gilles last year as an OG. And this year we added three more OL hoping to make an impact.

Mike Gibson is a 6'3 305 lb OG. He has good blocking techniques and may be able to slide outside to a OT position.

King Dunlap is a 6'8 310 lb OT who has long arms and a mean streak. Think of the second coming of Jon Runyan.

Mike McGlynn is a 6'4 311 lb OG who like Gibson could swing outside and play OT.

These three rookies will battle it out with veterans Nick Cole, Scott Young, and Stefan Rodgers for spots on the roster. It should be an interesting battle to watch.

The next big battle will be the TE position. Currently we have four on the roster. LJ Smith is coming off an injury filled season. He is back healthy and expected to be the number one TE.

Brent Celek was a rooie last year but played like a veteran at times. He received extensive playing time due to Smith's injury. Look for him to emerge as a number two TE this year.

Matt Schobel had an OK season. He was brought in to take some pressure off of LJ Smith but it hasn't really happened. I don't look for him to retain his spot this year.

Kris Wilson was brought in to add size and speed. He spent the last couple years in Kansas City behind All-World TE Tony Gonzalez. Playing behind him for four years should have some positive effect on Wilson. The Eagles like his speed and hands. He could emerge as a dangerous threat as the season progresses.

The last big battle to watch is the Fullback. It is a rarely used position by the Eagles, but an important one when we do use it. Jason Davis should be the starter. But there are concerns about his health. Davis has been injured the past two seasons. But when healthy, he is a quick, sure handed FB.

Luke Lawton was brought in from the Colts to add some competition. Like Davis, Lawton is beginning his third year. But unlike Davis, Lawton has seen the field. His experience could give him an edge.

And finally the rookie Jed Collins. He has everything to gain and nothing to lose. He is a former TE brought in to play FB. With Smith, Celek and Wilson here, there is virtually no chance for him at TE. But at FB he knows how to block and catch. Learning the playbook is another story. But if he can master it, he has as good a chance and Davis and Lawton.

There are other battles in TC that will merit watching, but these three IMO will be the best ones.