Think Tonight's Game Doesn't Mean Anything?

Well, if you do then don't tell linebacker Akeem Jordan.

It was in 2007 when Jordan, then a rookie free agent out of James Madison, wreaked havoc on the field with nine total tackles in the preseason finale against the Jets as he etched his name on the final 53-man roster following the roster cuts. He remembers the advice that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, then the Eagles linebackers coach, gave him prior to that game.

"He said you can make this team off of the last game. It's a chance to show what you got," Jordan said. "Just go out there and give it all you got. If you don't make this team, you can make another team."

Jordan spent 24 hours on the active roster before he was released among a flurry of transactions. He was signed to the Eagles practice squad and promoted to the active roster for good in late October. Jordan has played in 37 career games and started in 17 of them. He has accumulated 154 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass knockdowns and 55 special teams tackles in three seasons.

This year, Jordan entered training camp as the backup on the strong side, but took the starting job early in camp and has cemented the gig with his preseason performance. It makes you think what if Jordan didn't shine in that final preseason game back in 2007?

"You have to go out there hungry all of the time and just keep playing," Jordan said. "I tell (the young players) give it all you have got on every play. Don't take any play for granted. A lot of people want to play this game. It's always tough, you have young guys coming in trying to take your spot."

The Eagles linebacker situation is very intriguing heading into tonight's final preseason game against the Jets. Jordan, along with Stewart Bradley and Ernie Sims, are locked in as the starters. Omar Gaither is a versatile, valuable reserve player.

Moise Fokou was the starter on the strong side at the beginning of camp. Tracy White is a special teams maven. Keenan Clayton, a fourth-round pick, has been impressive in coverage and made big plays during the preseason. Jamar Chaney was a seventh-round pick this year and has gone through growing pains, but also has the physical talent which can grow in time.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 10:00 a.m., September 2

What Will Kafka, Cooper Do For An Encore?

It was perfect execution.

Quarterback Mike Kafka took the snap out of the shotgun, pump faked and delivered a perfect pass over a sea of red defenders into wide receiver Riley Cooper's hands - he didn't even have to break stride - for the game-winning 18-yard touchdown last Friday night against the Chiefs.

Kafka engineered a brilliant two-minute drive that spanned the length of 80 yards. Now, a new challenge awaits. Tonight, Kafka is expected to play the entire second half in the preseason finale against the New York Jets. What can Kafka do with the extensive playing time?

"That right there is the biggest test, whether we can do it consistently," Kafka said. "We're busting our butts off during practice making sure we can do that. It's a great opportunity to go out there and play, let it loose, have some fun and go out with a bang."

The man on the receiving end of that game-winning toss faces a different challenge. With the starters resting, Cooper is not so much fighting for a roster spot at this point. The fifth-round draft pick out of Florida is looking to prove that once the games count in the standings he should have a role on offense.

"I'm playing football. This is what I love to do. I'm confident in my abilities to play. I'm a very humble guy. I just go out there and play football. You don't have to make it too complicated," Cooper said. "I'm going to approach this game like I approach every single game. My approach never changes if I'm playing on special teams or if I'm starting."

That attitude served Cooper well at Florida as he was buried on the depth chart early in his college career behind Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy, who are also now in the NFL. Kafka isn't fighting for additional playing time tonight, but he could have an impact on how the final 53-man roster is shaped. If Kafka can elevate the performance of his teammates around him, he might just possibly help win something more than a game. He may help someone win a spot on the team.

"We are in the huddle almost every snap together working through things good and bad. I want to see everybody make this team," Kafka said. "I think we're going to have a good day. We just want to go out there, execute and manage the game."

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 12:45 a.m., September 2

Shipley Has Chance To Shine

Michael Vick figures to be the center of attention for the first half Thursday night when he makes his first start since 2006. But Thursday night's game is probably more important for the guy who will be the starting center, A.Q. Shipley.

Shipley is fighting for his spot on the 53-man roster in what has become a crowded offensive line. Last year, the Eagles opened the season with 10 offensive linemen on the roster, though they've kept nine in the past. Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Nick Cole, Jamaal Jackson, Stacy Andrews, Winston Justice, Mike McGlynn and Max Jean-Gilles each figure to have a spot on the team, and that makes eight. Then, Austin Howard and King Dunlap each have a chance to earn a spot for their performances at tackle. So Shipley will have to stand out Thursday night.

"It's the last opportunity to show what you can do," Shipley said. "You obviously want to go out and make a great impression. We're going to get a lot of time this week. The Jets are a quality team, they're a good defense, so just go out and play your game, give it your all because there's a lot riding on it."

Working in Shipley's favor is the apparent uncertainty at the center position. The starter, Jamaal Jackson, appears on track to be ready for the season opener, but he is coming off a torn ACL last December. Nick Cole has been battling a knee issue all summer and is considered a better fit at guard. Mike McGlynn has been the starting center throughout the preseason and has acclimated himself well, but center is also not his natural position.

Shipley, meanwhile, played center throughout his career at Penn State, winning the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the country's best center. And after getting some reps with the first-team offense last week against the Kansas City Chiefs - when McGlynn left briefly with a foot injury - Shipley will once again have a chance to show what he can do.

But that experience at center is a double-edged sword, as Shipley doesn't have the same versatility to move around to different spots on the offensive line as some of his competition does. Shipley, 6-1, 315, was originally a seventh-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2009 draft and he spent last season on their practice squad, before joining the Eagles in January. He said he's felt a tremendous improvement in his game since then.

"I feel real comfortable," he said. "I feel really good in terms of the scheme. I feel really good in terms of the offense. I feel really good technique-wise. I've gotten more and more comfortable since the minute I got here with (offensive line coach Juan Castillo's) technique and I'm just putting it to use every week in the games. I feel like I'm getting better and better."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 12:53 p.m., September 1

Can Hall Find A Spot On Roster?

Wide receiver Chad Hall stood out from the first moment he arrived at the NovaCare Complex in March.

It is not often that you will see a newly signed Eagles player decked out in a military uniform, but that was the case with Hall who spent the last two years in the Air Force fulfilling his commitment before he could chase his NFL dream.

Hall has been one of the more intriguing players here in training camp and the preseason. While he's listed as a wide receiver, Hall's ability to play running back and return specialist has provided the coaches a number of ways to utilize him. On Thursday night, Hall will see extensive playing time as he hopes to find his way onto the team's 53-man roster. But as much as he wants to impress the coaches, Hall knows that he can't force big plays.

"Those thoughts do come in my head, but at the end, I'm just trying to do what I should do," Hall said. "The good thing is the big plays will happen on their own. Just go out there and do my job, but do it fast. Play real fast."

So far this preseason, Hall has four catches for 69 yards, which includes a 57-yard reception where he got wide open down the seam. He also carried the ball twice for 22 yards. As a returner, Hall is averaging 4.3 yards per punt return and 18.5 yards per kickoff return.

Even though he's taken part in three and a half weeks of practices at training camp, three preseason games and another couple weeks of practice at NovaCare, Thursday night's preseason finale is the last opportunity for him to state his case for a spot on the roster. As important as each play will be, Hall doesn't want to add any pressure on himself.

"No. I did that in training camp. I remember there was a span of three days where I had probably six drops and those were the only drops I had all training camp. For those three days, I put so much pressure on myself," Hall said. "Then I learned from it and until (Tuesday), that one, I haven't had a drop since. I learned from it in training camp. I did. It's almost like I have this mental block before every play. I got rid of that, you know, three, four weeks ago and I've done great; just playing. Just going out there and playing like I always have and I don't even worry about it."

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 10:00 a.m., September 1

Harris Comfortable With Move Back To FS

Macho Harris is back where he once belonged.

Harris, last year's opening day starter at free safety, has been moved back to safety following an off-season in which he spent most of his time at cornerback. Harris' versatility in the defensive backfield allows defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and the rest of the coaching staff to move Harris around wherever he's most needed. After a rookie year during which he started eight games at free safety, Harris was moved to cornerback, his collegiate position, in the spring.

Harris continued working at cornerback, mainly on the right side of the defense, once training camp began. However, a hamstring injury kept Harris out of practice for some time, allowing some of the other cornerbacks to state their respective cases for spots on the roster. Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs are entrenched as the starters and Joselio Hanson is well-established in his role as the team's nickel cornerback. Dimitri Patterson, meanwhile, has been widely praised for his work this preseason, which includes an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals, and rookie fourth-round pick Trevard Lindley has taken to the speed and physicality of the NFL game so well that he was worked in with the first-team defense last Friday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, Lindley's emergence is perhaps the biggest impetus for Harris' switch back to safety, considering both players were working mainly on the right side.

"A little bit of (the reason for moving Harris to safety), I think, was that I felt comfortable with Lindley, who did a nice job," said head coach Andy Reid. "I think Macho is a good safety, that's where he started for us last year, he can also help you out in nickel situations inside."

As for Harris, he's happy to do what's asked of him.

"Wherever I can help out the team, wherever they need me, I'm willing to play it," Harris said. "I'm a team guy. I love this game of football. Whatever position they need me, I'm willing to play.

"It's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to basically prove myself, go out there and show that I can help the team."

Reid and McDermott both noted how impressed they were with Harris' ability to seamlessly step back into his safety spot, and Harris called the move a "smooth transition," but the numbers at safety appear just as crowded as those at cornerback. Quintin Mikell and Nate Allen will start and Quintin Demps and Kurt Coleman have each looked to be solid backups. Keeping five safeties, and 10 defensive backs, is certainly not out of the question, especially if the talent is so high. However, Harris still feels he has something to prove Thursday night against the New York Jets.

"It's important for everybody," said Harris, who missed the first two preseason games with that hamstring injury and only played about a quarter last Friday. "Trying to make the team, it's important for a lot of guys on the team, including myself. I'll try to make the best out of it.

"I can't wait, I'm excited. I played a little bit last game, got to fly around a little bit. Now I really get a chance to really get around and fly around."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 7:30 p.m., August 31

CB Calvin Ready For Action Thursday Night

Cornerback Jorrick Calvin was in a meeting early Monday morning when he was summoned to Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt's office and told that he was traded to the Eagles in exchange for fullback Charles Scott.

Less than three hours later, the 5-11, 184-pound Calvin was on a flight to Philadelphia and on Thursday he will play for the Eagles in the preseason finale against the Jets.

"They could have cut me and I could be at home right now, but someone wanted me in the league and someone saw the potential that I have so I'm very thankful for this opportunity that I have," Calvin said on Tuesday after his first practice with the team. "It was tough leaving there, but I am happy where I'm at now."

A sixth-round pick this past April out of Troy, Calvin was actually selected just one spot after the person he was traded for. The Cardinals lost fullback Nehemiah Broughton to a knee injury and needed insurance at the position. In addition to playing cornerback, Calvin is also a return specialist and head coach Andy Reid said that he might see some action in that regard against the Jets.

"I'm pretty excited about that because that's one of my main things," Calvin said. "I love to return. You play defense, you can't touch the ball too much, so I just want to go back to those high school days and just get your hands on the ball and move around with it."

Calvin transferred to Troy after playing for two years at East Central (Miss.) Community College. He started in 12 of 13 games for Troy in 2008 and recorded 76 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also led the Sun Belt Conference with a kickoff return average of 25.7 yards. Calvin was unable to play last season because he was academically ineligible.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 5:35 p.m., August 31

Sapp To IR; Eagles Claim DE Egboh

The Eagles placed rookie fifth-round draft pick Ricky Sapp on Injured Reserve on Tuesday and replaced him on the active roster with defensive end Pannel Egboh, who was claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans.

The 6-4, 252-pound Sapp underwent an MRI on a knee that head coach Andy Reid said earlier today that had been bothering him and was tweaked the other day. Sapp was utilized at both defensive end and linebacker in training camp, but played primarily at defensive end in the preseason. Sapp was projected to learn the Joker (stand-up end) position, which was very similar to the Bandit linebacker position he played at Clemson.

Egboh was a rookie free agent signing of the 49ers in 2009 out of Stanford. The 6-6, 287-pound defensive end was released by the 49ers before the start of last season and signed with the Texans practice squad in December and finished the year with them. Egboh played in 40 games (36 starts) for the Cardinal and had 98 tackles, 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 4:45 p.m., August 31

Reid: Starters To Rest On Thursday Night

Head coach Andy Reid reiterated on Tuesday that the starters will rest Thursday night against the New York Jets. That includes rookies like defensive end Brandon Graham and free safety Nate Allen. Reid also said that backup center Nick Cole will have the night off and Mike McGlynn will "probably not" play.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb said that he's ready for the start of the regular season, even without getting reps in this final preseason affair.

"We feel good about the offense. We haven't been as sharp as we wanted, but we still have confidence," Kolb said. "That's not going to change, but of course you want to play any chance you get. Andy's got his reasons and we believe in his reasons, so we'll stick to what he wants."

Not practicing on Tuesday were defensive end Victor Abiamiri (knee), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (underwent wisdom teeth procedure), cornerback Dimitri Patterson (groin) and defensive end/linebacker Ricky Sapp, who underwent an MRI on his knee and may need surgery according to Reid.

While Jackson didn't practice, Reid said that the back injury he suffered in Kansas City was "feeling better." And there was good news for a different Jackson, Jamaal, who didn't have soreness or swelling in his knee following extensive practice work on Monday. The starting center was full-go in Tuesday's workout as well.

Acquired via trade on Monday, cornerback Jorrick Calvin will play on Thursday night. He may even return kickoffs.

The quarterback duties are expected to be evenly split between Michael Vick and Mike Kafka, with each signal-caller getting in a half of work.

The extensive playing time for the backups will help sort out some of the final roster spots. The key is not to focus so much on offense and defense, but special teams.

"That weighs heavy on those last couple of roster spots," Reid said.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 2:35 p.m., August 31

After A Scare, DE Cole Ready To Go

Defensive end Trent Cole is on the mend with a sprained ankle he suffered last Friday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, but, despite the brief scare, the two-time Pro Bowler said he'll be ready and raring to go when the team opens the regular season at home against the Green Bay Packers on September 12.

"I've been doing fine. I'm getting my ankle right, which is the only thing I can do really," Cole said. "I'm hoping to be back here in two or three days and then I have to just keep doing what I'm doing.

"I'll be back soon, real soon."

Cole hurt the ankle in the second quarter in Kansas City.

"It hurt so bad my whole body kind of went limp," Cole said. "I was scared, I won't lie to you. Any player would be scared when you feel that kind of pain. You're like 'Man,' because you don't want to have your season messed up. That's one thing you dread. You don't want that."

Cole said the doctors told him that the pain was a result of swelling in the ankle at the time, which has since subsided.

"There's pain (now), but not near when it was when I first did it," he said.

As for his impressions of the preseason, Cole said he's anxious to get out there when it counts to see if the defense can keep it up.

"I think we've done great as far as the defense," he said. "We've got a fast team, a lot of guys who are ready to fly around and get after it."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 7:45 p.m., August 30

C Jackson Takes 'Huge' Step In Quest For Opener

Jamaal Jackson took the next step in his quest to be the opening day starter at center on Monday when he participated fully in practice with the starters and went through his first live one-on-ones since tearing his ACL late last December. Jackson had been slowly acclimating himself back into action since coming off the Physically Unable to Perform towards the end of training camp.

"It felt good," Jackson said. "From here on out, it's just getting in shape, football shape.

"I think it'll take a little bit of time getting adjusted to the brace as far as mobility wise, but I feel strong. I didn't have a chance to go through training camp, so I'm a little fresher than most ... It's a recovery process and I'm taking steps in the right direction and hopefully we can move forward."

Jackson, who started 71 consecutive games until his injury, is also getting over some important mental hurdles that he has to overcome before getting out there in game action.

"I'm fine from a physical standpoint; it's just mentally, people falling around my legs. Actually, someone fell into my legs during one-on-ones, and ... naturally you don't want anybody falling around your legs. But when it happens it happens and now I'll know how to deal with it."

Jackson said that he can't say for certain whether or not he'll be the one to snap Kevin Kolb the ball when the team takes the field against the Green Bay Packers on September 12, but the fact that he's come so far already is unquestionably a good sign in that regard.

"That's my goal," Jackson said." A lot can change from now and September 12th, so we'll just play it by ear and I'll keep getting on my knees and praying to the good lord at night because he got me here. We'll see how it works.

"Today was a huge step for me. Today was a big step, so now I can start taking some even bigger steps in trying to get back to my old form."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 4:09 p.m., August 30

Roseman On Calvin Trade

General manager Howie Roseman said that cornerback Jorrick Calvin, the player acquired earlier today from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for fullback Charles Scott, is someone who has been on the Eagles' radar for a while.

"Jorrick Calvin is a physical corner with return ability, a guy that we've had our eye on here in the draft and through the preseason," said Roseman of the player who was selected one pick after Scott in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft.

With only five days until the final rosters need to be cut down to 53 players, Calvin will have to make a quick impression.

"I think we're going to rely a lot on our college reports, what (Calvin's) done so far in the preseason and we'll put him out there Thursday and we'll see what he can do," Roseman said.

The import of Calvin is not an indictment of the cornerback position at all, as the position has been one of the more impressive this summer, so much so that Macho Harris was moved back to safety.

"I think it starts with Asante, he's come in great shape, he's had a great camp," Roseman said. "Ellis Hobbs as well, physical guy, he's done really well. And then our young guys too have stepped up. Trevard Lindley keeps getting better, Dimitri Patterson's done a good job and Joselio (Hanson) has done a solid job in his role."

With a busy few days ahead, this could only be the beginning of a whirlwind period before Saturday at 4 PM.

There are "a lot of phone calls, kind of similar to prior to the draft," Roseman said. "A lot of times it's a lot of talk but not a bunch of action. We'll continue to work to try to improve this football team any way we can. We like the players we have on this football team, but if there's an opportunity to get better, we're going to try to do that."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 1:24 p.m., August 30

Eagles Acquire CB Jorrick Calvin

The Eagles have traded fullback Charles Scott to the Arizona Cardinals for rookie cornerback Jorrick Calvin, a sixth-round draft pick from Troy. Calvin, a 5 foot 11, 184-pounder, played one season at Troy and started 12 of 13 games. Calvin also averaged 25.7 yards per kickoff return.

Calvin (5-11, 184) transferred to Troy University in 2008 after spending two seasons at East Central Community College. He started 12 of 13 games at cornerback that season, totaling 76 tackles and a pair of interceptions, with nine pass break-ups, a forced fumble, and a pair of fumble recoveries. Calvin also handled the return duties, leading the Sun Belt Conference with 25.7 kickoff return average on 27 returns, including one returned 95 yards for a touchdown. He also averaged 9.9 yards on 15 punt returns, and returned a blocked field goal 65 yards for a touchdown.

The Baton Rouge, LA, native won back-to-back state championships at Scotlandville Magnet High School, earning all-district, all-area and all-metro accolades along the way.

Interestingly, Calvin was selected 201st in April's draft. Scott was the 200th overall selection by the Eagles.

Calvin was primed to have a big senior season at Troy, but his academic problems dropped his draft stock considerably. He comes into a young Eagles secondary already helped by rookie Trevard Lindley. Where does Calvin fit in?

We'll find out, so stay tuned for more details.

-- Posted by Dave Spadaro, 12:55 p.m, August 30