SEVERAL PLAYERS WHO PLAYED WELL IN EAGLES-JETS PRESEASON FINALE DID NOT MAKE CUT

Cornerback Josh Hawkins and linebacker Chris Worley had interceptions - both were cut

CB Josh Haskins came up wit this interception in the third quarter against the Jets. But could not hold on to a roster spot...for now. Photo by Jesse Garber

EAST RUTHERFORD: After last night’s preseason finale at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets, a miserable 6-0 loss, the Eagles join 31 other NFL teams that will now play musical chairs with their players, all of who want to grab a seat and stick around for the season opener next week.

Who will make the cut? See below for the first round of players released.

On offense, there were quite a few who made the case against the Jets they should not be even considered for the practice squad.

Quarterback Clayton Thorson struggled the entire game. The offense produced just six first downs from scrimmage, just one via penalty.

A lightning storm this week might have helped. It would have ended the game and put Thorson out of his misery.

The fifth round pick out of Northwestern played the entire game and was 12 for 26 for just 84 yards with an interception and a quarterback rating of 38.0.

Wendell Smallwood may have played his last game an Eagle rushing seven times for 23 yards and a fumble. He caught one pass for minus-one yards.

Donnel Pumphrey may be on the bus with Smallwood. He rushed three times for three yards.

Pumphrey, in his third season out of San Diego State, was target twice but did not make a catch.

Bucks County native Josh Adams rushed twice for -1 yards and caught one pass that went in the books for -5 yards.

The defensive side of the ball was much different. The Birds held the Jets backups to just 46 yards rushing. They gave up 304 passing yards but kept the Jets out of the end zone and saw two other drives end with three missed field goals.

The Eagles also picked off Jets quarterback Davis Webb twice. The thieves were cornerback Josh Hawkins and linebacker Chris Worley.

“I believe the defense played a phenomenal game,” Hawkins said in the Eagles locker room after the game. “Everybody was tackling and having fun out there. That’s how the Eagles defense looks. It’s how we’re supposed to look. We did our thing tonight.”

There is so much on the line the last week of training camp. For the two dozen or so players whose job hangs in the balance with these final performances, how does a player like Hawkins block all that pressure out and play well?

How about a keeping it simple with some tunes by your favorite music artist?

“I listen to Drake,” Hawkins said. “To ease my mind. Just some tunes to calm my mind.”

Hawkins said it helps when the entire unit is playing well. Players feed off each other.

“When we’re all clicking, that’s how it all comes together,” the four-year player out of East Carolina said. “When one person is clicking, it does become contagious. Then we start having fun out there.”

“Whatever God wants from me, I just follow his footsteps,” Hawkins said. “He’ll lead me in the right direction always.”

Talent and effort are the normal elements need to make the team...but a little prayer never hurts. You have a feeling Hawkins will land on his feet. *

Philadelphia Eagles Announce Roster Moves

Placed TE Richard Rodgers on Injured Reserve

Waived/Injured DT Aziz Shittu

Released the following players:

DE Kasim Edebali

DE Eli Harold

LB Hayes Pullard 

CB Orlando Scandrick

TE Will Tye

Waived the following players:

WR Carlton Agudosi

S Trae Elston

C Anthony Fabiano 

S Deiondre’ Hall

CB Ajene Harris 

CB Josh Hawkins

QB Cody Kessler 

T Riley Mayfield

CB Jeremiah McKinnon

WR Marken Michel

RB Donnel Pumphrey

G Keegan Render

CB Sojourn Shelton

LB Alex Singleton

WR DeAndre Thompkins

S Jason Thompson         

DT Kevin Wilkins

LB Chris Worley