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.
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