Coaching mind games…when a depth chart is more than a depth chart
In addition to being a fantasy football nut, I’m also a proud season ticket holder for the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s both a blessing (4 straight NFC championship games) and a curse (zero Super Bowls) but no matter how the team does, like a good fan I’m pretty obsessive about following the team’s every move.
This week, the team released its first official depth chart of the season. With a month until the regular season, you might be asking why a depth chart matters? Well, it may not matter to you or I but it absolutely matters to the players trying to make the 53-man roster as well as earn significant playing time. You can learn a lot from early preseason depth charts, as coaches use them to motivate slow camp starters and also sometimes use them to massage fragile egos. The Eagles 1st depth chart has a little bit of both in evidence.
Quarterback
- QB1 — Donovan McNabb
- QB2 — Kevin Kolb
- QB3 — A.J. Feeley
No surprises here. McNabb has looked solid and is entrenched. Kolb was promoted to 2nd string before camp began, and Feeley seems to have settled into his new role as the emergency signal caller.
Running Back
- RB1 — Brian Westbrook
- RB2 — Correll Buckhalter
- RB3 — Lorenzo Booker
- RB4 — Tony Hunt
- RB5 — Ryan Moats
What’s notable here is Buckhalter being listed as RB2 over Booker, despite it being obvious to anyone watching camp that Booker is going to play a major role offensively. Consider this as much a recognition of Buckhalter’s veteran status and leadership as an indication of which backup will get more touches. Hunt and Moats should be worried, it’s unlikely the team will carry more than four tailbacks on the active roster, and may opt for just the top three.
Wide Receiver
- WR1s — Kevin Curtis & Reggie Brown
- WR2s — Hank Baskett & Jason Avant
- WR3s — Michael Gasperson & Greg Lewis
- WR4s — DeSean Jackson & Jamal Jones
- WR5s — Shaheer McBride, Bam Childress & Frantz Hardy
Now this is an interesting depth chart. Lots of mixed reviews about Reggie Brown thus far, with some writers going so far as to wonder if Brown’s job is safe. The only sure thing on this depth chart is Kevin Curtis as the top option. Beyond that, expect this chart to be fluid throughout camp and into the season. The other glaring issue is rookie DeSean Jackson listed as a 4th stringer. NO ONE, Jackson included, believes that to be a realistic assessment of his role. But look at this as Andy Reid’s reminder to Jackson that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. After a slow start to camp, Jackson has looked much better in the last few days and has even seen 1st team reps. Expect Jackson to be listed as a WR2 at worst when the next depth chart comes out.
Tight End
- TE1 — L.J. Smith
- TE2 — Brent Celek
- TE3 — Matt Schobel
- TE4 — Kris Wilson
Smith is the team’s franchise player this season, no surprise to see him atop the chart. But Kris Wilson’s place as the 4th stringer does bear close scrutiny. Signed as a free agent, many expected Wilson to compete for major playing time because of his versatility. While he still has time, I take this to be an indication that Reid and his assistant coaches need to see more out of Wilson if he’s going to crack into the rotation.
Fullback
- FB1 — Jason Davis
- FB2 — Luke Lawton
- FB3 — Jed Collins
This is a 3-way battle, so take the current depth chart with a grain of salt.
Offensive Tackle
- LT1 — Tra Thomas
- RT1 — Jon Runyan
- LT2 — King Dunlap
- RT2 — Winston Justice
- LT3 — Franklin Dunbar
- RT3 — Stefan Rodgers
The notable situation here is that mammoth (but raw) rookie King Dunlap is listed as the backup left tackle instead of Winston Justice. This says more about the coaches’ disappointment with Justice than it does their excitement for Dunlap, in my opinion. Right now the Eagles depth at tackle looks sketchy, but remember that both starting guards (Shawn Andrews and Todd Herremans) can play tackle.
Offensive Guard
- LG1 — Todd Herremans
- RG1 — Shawn Andrews
- LG2 — Mike McGlynn
- RG2 — Max Jean-Gilles
- LG3 — Mike Gibson
- RB3 — Cameron Stephenson
This is one of those instances where Reid is trying to show support for a veteran who’s struggling right now. Andrews hasn’t reported to camp yet and is, allegedly, suffering from depression. Obviously the team doesn’t want to upset the apple cart by implying Andrews is in danger of losing his starting job, but Jean-Gilles has looked solid in his stead.
Center
- C1 — Jamaal Jackson
- C2 — Nick Cole
- C3 — Scott Young
No surprises here.
Defensive End
- LDE1 — Juqua Parker
- RDE1 — Trent Cole
- LDE2 — Victor Abiamiri
- RDE2 — Darren Howard
- LDE3 — Chris Clemons
- RDE3 — Bryan Smith
- RDE4 — Jerome McDougle
Victor Abiamiri was expected to push for a starting role but a broken wrist has set him back. The fact Chris Clemons, a free agent signing this offseason as a pass rush specialist, is listed as 3rd string BEHIND a guy with a broken wrist is clearly in indication that the coaches need to see more out of him.
Defensive Tackle
- DT1s — Brodrick Bunkley & Mike Patterson
- DT2s — Trevor Laws & Dan Klecko
- DT3s — Montae Reagor & Kimo von Oelhoffen
The only “surprise” here is Dan Klecko running with the 2nd team. Am I the only one who remembers Klecko being signed this offseason as a fullback? Either way, it’s hard to believe Klecko will hold off either Reagor or von Oelhoffen once they get healthy.
Outside Linebacker
- WLB1 — Omar Gaither
- SLB1 — Chris Gocong
- WLB2 — Akeem Jordan
- SLB2 — Rocky Boiman
- WLB3 — Justin Roland
- SLB3 — Andy Studebaker
Gaither and Gocong are young playmakers, and entrenched. But the depth is a real concern. Jordan shows flashes but Rocky Boiman isn’t a credible starter for a playoff contender. This is one area where the Eagles should be looking to bolster as veterans are let go during camp cut downs.
Middle Linebacker
- MLB1 — Stewart Bradley
- MLB2 — Joe Mays
- MLB3 — Pago Togafau
No surprises, but no depth either.
Strong Safety
- SS1 — Quintin Mikell
- SS2 –Sean Considine
- SS3 — Marcus Paschal
No surprises.
Free Safety
- FS1 — Brian Dawkins
- FS2 — J.R. Reed
- FS3 — Quintin Demps
It wasn’t long ago Reed was considered expendable and was looking for work elsewhere. Rookie Demps is considered the heir apparent to Brian Dawkins and should overtake Reed by the end of camp.
Cornerback
- LCB1 — Asante Samuel
- RCB1 — Sheldon Brown & Lito Sheppard
- LCB2 — Joselio Hanson
- RCB3 — Nick Graham
- LCB3 — Kyle Arrington
- RCB4 — Therrian Fontenot
Talk about a “feel good” move. Listing two players as the “starter” for one position is downright silly. Obviously this is being done so as not to bruise the egos of either Brown or Sheppard, since one of them is going to be the most talented nickel back in the NFC this year.
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