PHLY Philadelphia Eagles Podcast - Eagles End Preseason 0-3: What Will Howie Roseman's 53-Man Roster Look Like? | PHLY Eagles Podcast

Episode Date: August 29, 2026

Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton played most of the Eagles’ preseason finale against the Bengals, for some reason, as the likes of Uar Bernard, Joshua Weru, Carson Steele, Chance Campbell and Mac McWill...iams made their final pushes for the roster. Makai Lemon played his first game in an Eagles uniform. Fran Duffy, EJ Smith and Bo Wulf recap the game and run through their final 53-man roster predictions.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Starting point is 00:00:11 Hello, everybody and welcome to the PHAY Eagles show live from the Xfinity Mogul studio and presented by Ashley Bowulf and Fran Duffy here following the Eagles 30 to 13. Preseason loss and the finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. They finish the preseason 0 and 3. We have a lot to get to at 1112 p.m. on a Friday evening. E.J. Smith will join us from Lincoln Financial Field to tell us what he learned in the locker room. all three of us will give you sort of what must be our final 53 man roster projections.
Starting point is 00:00:47 We'll have some Ospreys leftovers to discuss Fran. But we've got to start with the game itself and we'll tell you who played and who didn't play. But let's start with the big takeaway presented by Xfinity. And let's talk about the quarterback situation.
Starting point is 00:01:02 I know we did this last week. But when we did it last week, we thought Cole Payton was going to play this whole game, that's not what happened. Tanner McKee played the entire first half. Andy Dalton played into the fourth quarter, most of the second half. Both of them looked bad. Andy Dalton finishes 12 of 19 for 104 yards in a touchdown.
Starting point is 00:01:22 Tanner McKee, 12 of 22 for 55 yards in an interception. I don't think, I was sort of, I have always been a little bit confused. You haven't even talked yet. I just got to keep going. I have always been trying to give the team the benefit of the doubt. about the way that they have handled this position this offseason. And I knew that there was something that I didn't understand. They know something that I don't know.
Starting point is 00:01:50 Because from the outside, it doesn't make a lot of sense. Now that we have gotten to the end of this summer, I find this entire thing to have been an abject disaster. Think about the three players behind Jalen Hertz. All three of them have been made worse by this situation. Tanner McKee, whether you want to say bringing in Andy Dalton affected his confidence,
Starting point is 00:02:16 whatever it is, he has looked worse this summer than he has ever looked before. No doubt about it. You've also robbed him of reps. Andy Dalton comes in at 39 years old. You're guaranteeing him money. Every other backup quarterback we saw this summer who the Eagles played against looked way better than any
Starting point is 00:02:35 Dalton, every single one of them, including guys you never heard of. Josh Johnson's out there tonight completely old quarterback mocking him. It's, I mean, absolutely, Dalton has looked awful. The two of them are splitting wraps in practice, so neither of them gets a rhythm. And then you use a fifth round pick on Cole Payton,
Starting point is 00:02:52 a developmental quarterback. You know that that is who you're drafting, a player who has one year of starting experience in college, who has this athletic upside. You have Dalton and McKee when you draft him, so you must have a plan in place. And he plays in the preseason a total of like a quarter, and a half?
Starting point is 00:03:11 Doesn't let what are they doing? It doesn't make any sense to me, Fran. I've been trying to like make sense of it in my head over the last, you know, four quarters, because this game did not go the way
Starting point is 00:03:25 I anticipated the rotation going. I thought that, all right, like even if McKee were to get the start, like maybe he plays a driver or two and then Cole Payton gets the majority of the rest of the camp. And then the first half happens and it's like,
Starting point is 00:03:37 all right, yeah, I guess we'll see Peyton in the second half. And then when Dalton comes out, like, that's the thing is it just like, I kept like going like for what it didn't it didn't make any sense to me in the moment here's like the that's the other thing I texted you guys right away I texted you in EJ
Starting point is 00:03:52 not to do the show before the show but it was like the idea of like all right well this definitely feels like McKee is the QB2 Peyton is the QB3 Dalton is out because it's like all right we're not we don't want Dalton to get hurt because we're you know we're moving on from we'll get we'll we know that McKee didn't get as many reps as we'd have liked our backup quarterback to get. We're going to give them these reps here in the first half and we'll let Peyton finish off the string. And the fact that Dalton came in and played as much as he didn't as in the second half,
Starting point is 00:04:24 yeah, I don't get it. Now, yeah, this is almost certainly like a big bluff on the Eagles part, right? Where they're like, hey, like, yep, we're fine caring for going into the, going into the regular season. Do you think? Don't you think it's in bit, don't you think they are embarrassing Andy Dalton in front of the league to play him at 39 years old into the fourth quarter of the third preseason game? Yeah, that's it's, that's what I mean. It's the whole thing is definitely weird for, because look, a sixth round pick, whenever it happened, what happened is not nothing. Like it's something if you want to, you know, that could be like your next, you know, your next Jalen Mills, right?
Starting point is 00:05:07 Like I mean, what they gave up or what they're hoping to get? what they would be hoping to there's no way no one's giving them anything well that's what and that's that the only thing they guarantee the money they completely miss like their side of it yeah it's not an easy thing to like
Starting point is 00:05:26 you know because I'm sitting here the same way that you are affected but most likely you know there are bigger things to worry about when it gets to the season but for tonight we can we can narrowly focus on this because that's what the roster cut down is all about right you know howie roseman is if not the best general manager in the NFL one of the three best general managers in the NFL if i was driver lary i would consider cleaning house over the way
Starting point is 00:05:50 that this thing is i've seen a lot of the chat it doesn't make any sense well the the the chat for tonight is like overwhelming that all like they got to keep dalton and they got to trade mckee it was the opposite for the other two games right like dalton looked terrible the first two preseason game. So, you know, I don't think either guy has been great over the course of the summer. I mean, I agree with your point that neither guy has been able to get into any kind of rhythm just because of the nature of how practices have gone. Yeah, it's just, it's what it's, it's a weird thing. And you have Cole Peyton like playing special teams? Yeah, it's on the first team punt coverage tonight. What are they doing?
Starting point is 00:06:32 That's fine. You want to that's, if that's a bluff for keeping four and, you know, he can be active on game days and help your special teams, that's fine. That's part of the theory and drafting him in the first place. It is completely asinine to me to have used a pick on him in the fifth round when you already had the other two quarterbacks, knowing that's the situation you brought him into. And then to not even give, he didn't even play a full half of football this preseason. He took a bunch of reps the first week at camp and then barely took any reps after that. like we we give the eagle so much credit for their player development behind the scenes and the extra reps do these guys get that's what they're leaning that's what they're going to be leaning on to
Starting point is 00:07:11 yeah but it's like it's like they gave in the middle finger like what are they doing they're they i would imagine again this event they had got all three of those guys the middle finger this summer tanner mckee guess what thanks for nothing we're going to we're going to rob you of happy reps and bringing this other guy any dalton guess what you've been a starting quarter in the league for a decade, you're a respected figure. We're going to make you fight for this job and play into the fourth quarter of the third preseason game and embarrass you in front of the league. Col Payton, welcome to the quarterback development school.
Starting point is 00:07:44 Enjoy the bench. What the hell? I can't argue. I can't argue with it. Like the way that where I sat with it as I was sitting in the third quarter, I'm like, okay, I know that you and EJ, we'll hear from EJ later. Not happy with it. So I'm sitting here and I'm like, all right.
Starting point is 00:08:02 I this game in particular this third preseason game has turned in especially for the eagles has turned into such a like check the box exercise that I can't let myself get like wrapped up in it right and so I don't want to get too emotional about what I saw here tonight I do think that it's all a game towards trying to see if you can get some kind of trade compensation for Andy Dalton and if it's true Isn't that embarrassingly too cute? Right? If they get a sixth round pick tomorrow, like, is it, you know, will it be worth it? No. I don't. Because you're flushing a fifth down in toilet. Like, this is, I am absolutely bewildered.
Starting point is 00:08:57 And I will also tell you, as we're going to go through, at 53 is I have, I probably have less confidence about this year's 53 than I ever have people. hard year for the 53 man it's really hard uh because there are a lot of got there are the final like six spots on the team yes it almost doesn't like they could go to anybody and then i'm not even counting bernard and and where who i think are going to be on the team yeah like do you keep a fourth quarterback do you keep fred johnson do you keep jonathan jones you don't necessarily need to keep those guys but there's also not like you know did maximus pulle distinguish himself enough i think probably not. Goosh had a rough night.
Starting point is 00:09:34 Gush had a rough night. We can get to a super chat in a minute. It's just like, plus, yeah, and you know what, let's close the book on the big takeaway. I think we're going to need to discuss the quarterback thing more whenever EJ comes on, but I am just baffled by it. And like the decision to trade for Dalton in the first place, when you see, you know, when you could have just signed Josh Johnson or whoever else, like, baffling all these guys. Okay, some super chats to get to here. Got a bunch.
Starting point is 00:10:08 K.O. Peng says Eagles are winless in preseason three times this century, 2021, 2021, 2023, and 2026. We stopped playing offensive starters in 2022 that Jets game. How serious is the preseason? What do you think about that, Fran? I think every team treats the preseason differently. The Eagles obviously feel that that's something that they don't want to risk their best players for. You know, we saw what over the course of three games, three starters play, one of them being the rookie first round pick this year, one of them being last year's first round pick in Jehad Campbell.
Starting point is 00:10:47 That's it. Off-eds or defense, so they're just the two guys. So, yeah, I think this is an exercise for, meaning the preseason, it's an exercise for the guys that are at the back end of the roster. and to test your depth. And, yeah, I do. I mean, look, I think that the league overall is going to be eliminating one of these games. Like this game tonight won't exist in however many X amount of years. But, yeah, until we get to that point, this is what it is.
Starting point is 00:11:15 I would also say, though, that going 0 and 3 in the preseason is not great. I mean, it's true that the results don't really matter. I don't think Nick's going to be happy about that. And look, those 21 and 23, You know, those weren't great years. But I'm pretty, if I remember right, I'm pretty sure the Patriots, the year they went undefeated, went 0 and 3 and the Lions, the year they went 0 and 16, went 4 and 0. Well, is that right? Yeah, something like that.
Starting point is 00:11:43 Well, like, the Patriots could have been 0.3. It would have been 0.4 back then. Owen 4, right. Yeah. But, yeah. I mean, I don't really think that that matters. Yeah. But it's not great.
Starting point is 00:11:53 Drip Sensei says Tanner McKee, GTFO. Is that what that says? or it's the no it's the uh the melting face emoji oh the melting face emoji interesting uh yeah that was i mean it was ugly from yeah it wasn't great he wasn't playing behind you know or with great stuff but it was ugly uh in the interception did come on a drop by mckeye lemon which yeah which wasn't a great throw but you want macailla bring that in we'll talk about the kite lemon too uh koh peng says praise up for andre sam he's a dog hope we do him right and that's a good to bring up because under sam did have a good night tonight and i was contemplating whether or not he
Starting point is 00:12:33 he had a chance to stick on to the 53 because he really has taken like every single rep with the twos at safety he's taking way more of those valuable reps than guys like pull he have he had two fumble recoveries tonight was looking very good and then suffered where it looked like a serious injury and was carded off the field and given thumbs up so shout out to andre sam who has been a like a uh like you know like a quad a player for the eagles over the past last couple of years, like a very good practice squad player who's not quite 53 manworthy. Nicest Eagles fan. Kind of read between the lines, almost like a Vic Fangio pet cat too.
Starting point is 00:13:10 Like you could tell a Vic Fangio like Sandra Sam. And rightfully so, because the way he plays. Nicest Eagles fans. Should we consider McKee's struggles scheme related? Obviously splitting splitting snaps won't help there. And I do think that that's an important part of this situation is did they identify beyond not in enjoying what McKee did in week 18 that he was not going to be a good fit for this scheme. Is that part of it?
Starting point is 00:13:36 He doesn't look great. You know, when he's asked to roll out, that's true. But, I don't mean, neither does Andy Dalton. Yeah,
Starting point is 00:13:44 I don't think that it's the, that it's a bad scheme fit. Like, you know, like physically, like, oh, he's not a good skill set for the system.
Starting point is 00:13:50 I think that, you know, we go back to when he looked really good under Kellyn Moore. Like, they were doing more of the under center play action stuff. That was a big talking point that we would say, like when McKee's, would come in and, you know, behind Jalen Hertz and come in.
Starting point is 00:14:03 It was like, oh, they're doing more of the undercenter play action stuff with Tanner McKee. I think it's more just like, you know, you're getting settled into a new system with new verbiage and everything else. And if you're, you know, kind of catching up mentally, that is going to carry over and manifest with negativity on the physical end. So, you know, I think it's more, it's not necessarily bad scheme fit. It's more like guy getting used to new scheme affecting his play because, you know, he's trying to get adjusted. that would be you know and i'm not i don't want to speak for rickia that's what's going on but um you know
Starting point is 00:14:34 that that is something that does happen players hmm reverma says looks like the lemon party is going to start late i believe reverment was there the other night at the osprey it's nice to see them uh yeah i mean you would have liked mckelloman to catch that ball yeah we uh he's you know what the problem yeah he doesn't he just he's not a special athlete athlete. Right. Right. So you would like to see your first round wide receiver look special going up against guys who are playing in the third preseason game. It's just not the kind of player that he is. Yeah. He's and you know, like we talked about this on draft night is that he is a player that you do want to scheme up and do things to be creative with. And in this environment, you're not going to do
Starting point is 00:15:24 that. You're not going to get creative with the usage. Like a lot of the catches where, you know, came off play action where he's kind of in the flat and you're just going to be off the movement. But when it's, you know, third down or was second and long, I think it was second and long on that play where Ticario Davis, who is a rookie corner, it was a fifth round pick this past year, you know, is lined up in pressman coverage and, you know, basically takes him away on that snap and comes away with the PBA on the deep corner route. You know, that's not Mikhail Lemon's game. That's a year you're not going to see him win that way in the NFL, at least not for the first
Starting point is 00:15:57 couple of years. So, you know, not surprising to see that rep play out that way. He's Sannon says, UR looks so tentative and scared to tackle. I don't think he's scared to tackle. He just, you know, he doesn't have the reps at it. It's like what we're talking about with McKee just now. It's like when you, when, if you're doing a lot of thinking, the physical stuff is slow to come. So it's, yeah.
Starting point is 00:16:25 We're going to get to the roster stuff. I do wonder, I do wonder if they could slip O'R through. I think that I think that Wero is more likely definitely on than O'R is. I agree with that. But I could be wrong. All right. Final super chat from Dinkleberg, who I mean, what a pleasure to meet the Dinkman. the other night.
Starting point is 00:16:55 Beautiful mustache. We had a good conversation. He says the QBDEP is a disaster. Jalen reverts to the goatee. Bow shaves the stash. And the Gush's final push for the 53 was a wet fart overall. Needless to say, I am in shambles. That said, go birds.
Starting point is 00:17:14 Hopefully we don't have to worry about the QB depth. I agree with you guys that Jalen reverting to the goatee is a disappointment. It's one of the most disappointing things over the last week and change. you shaving the stash equally disappointing no no no the stash is that's a one night only that's for the ospreys attendees they're the only ones you made it work man it was i thought you pulled no no that's a special that is a special gift from me to the sickos only for the people in attendance nobody else gets that that is one night only we were you know we're bowling afterwards and even like the people
Starting point is 00:17:46 that were with or looking at and saying like bow really pulls the mustache off and i said i completely agree of course you're going to bring up the bullion we're going to talk about the bowling fantastic you were I mean dynamite that's not why I brought it up because they were literally afterwards it was still a buzz like it was a it was the big talk of the entire event well that's fine it's fine if I rocked it that's great but it's still a treat for the people there that's you buy your tickets for the ospreys next year who knows what I'll be wearing um okay let's take a quick break here from some sponsors back in two minutes to talk a little bit more about who played who didn't tonight and then we'll really get into the weeds on the roster
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Starting point is 00:20:26 Back in the P. H.S.L.A. He goes, post-game show with Bo and Fran. Jarring to see the beard there, I thought, now having seen this in the mirror. Before we get to what happened in the game tonight, Fran, I want to circle back on one Ospreys thing. Because there were some t-shirt giveaways,
Starting point is 00:20:44 and we have some remaining inventory that we did not get to and that we have extra up. And what I would like to do is auction these off for charity. The money spent on these will go to the Attic Youth Center for LGBTQ Youth in Philadelphia. And I'm going to read to you the inventory and show you the shirts of what I have. If you want to bid on these,
Starting point is 00:21:07 email me at bow at all p.hly.com. Here's what we have. We have the I-Stan face list. Lindsay shirts. Okay? There's a white shirt with a black drawing. I stand faceless
Starting point is 00:21:22 Lindsay. For those, I have one medium and one large available. So when you tell me, when you tell me you're interested, let me know which one you're interested in. We have the Fran shirt. Picture of Fran.
Starting point is 00:21:42 It says, who can Fran do for you? White with a black. Right? for those, there's only two left. We have a medium and an X-L. Medium and X-L, Frann, who can Fran do for you? And then we have two shirts
Starting point is 00:21:56 which we did not even show the other night. Okay? Now, this is a great one. You know the writing where it's like something and something and something, the ampersands in there? What we have here is a very special P-H-L-Y shirt.
Starting point is 00:22:14 It says, Swooper and Flew World Order an owl you know and duck duck juice and turkeys to the kingdom and spread your winds and fly and quackatology i mean this should be flying off the shelf this should be the highest bit honestly should be one that we actually have in the store for now there are three of those shirts available because i am wearing one wow we have a medium a large and an excel on those and then finally we have the ej shirt which i also did not show the other night and this is a classic this is oh A picture of the Eiffel Tower with EJ's head at the top.
Starting point is 00:22:55 And it says Latour, I fell, except the I is a J. E.J. That's strong. We have four of those available, a medium, a large, an XL, and a 2XL. So let me know. Boat all p.hoy.com. These costs about $30 to make. So we've got to at least make that back. And then we'll give the, we'll give everything to charity.
Starting point is 00:23:18 So love it. let us know. Now, let's get to what's brewing presented by Wawa, Fran, and discuss who played tonight, what you make of that. Who didn't play? Willie Lampkin, your boy, who has been dealing with an injury but did return to practice earlier so that I think you can read something into that. Mark Al Bell didn't play. He's been dealing with an injury.
Starting point is 00:23:40 Darius Cooper did not play, although he played deep into the other two preseason games. Elijah Moore did play. Fred Johnson did play, but not as much as most of the starting offensive line did. Any other ones that's jumped out to you in terms of who played who didn't play? Just confirming, Jihad Campbell did not play. Yeah, they called him out as a blitzer. They called him out on a broadcast.
Starting point is 00:24:00 I think that was right. I think it might have been Chance Campbell. Might have been Chance Campbell. Okay. Right. No, those are the big ones. I mean, the fact that Fred got the start but then didn't play too much, I thought was notable. We'll talk about that with the 53.
Starting point is 00:24:16 Yeah, I think those were honestly the biggest ones that I was most interested in was Fred Johnson. I was interested that Lemon played as deep into the game as he did, like to get as many reps he did. But it's like, all. He didn't play at all. He missed a good amount of the summer. Let's get him some quality reps.
Starting point is 00:24:35 So that makes sense. Yeah. I think those are the big things for me. We were any of surprises for you. I mean, I was surprised that McKee and Dalton played as much as they did. Well, yeah. We talked about that. But that, I mean, that's still insane.
Starting point is 00:24:49 David Pierce out there. Will Shippley didn't play and Damien Pierce did play for a bit. Tight ends. The other, you know, Kakatera is injured, so he did not play.
Starting point is 00:25:01 Same first hours. Epinessa and Evacetti both started in this game and played in the game. I think asked in a chat about Evacati. He did get the start. Yep. With Appetna. Same with Ringo and Mack McWilliams. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:25:15 Jacoria Bennett is injured, so he did not play. Jeremiah Trotter did not play. Correct. Yeah, that's a good one. So Michael Carter did play. Did play, yes. Yeah. Nothing crazy, right?
Starting point is 00:25:30 No, nothing, yeah, nothing nuts. Ty Robinson played, but only played early. This was the only game where we didn't really see him late. Right. That feels, it makes me feel good about his standing. I think he's going to make the team. Byron Young, you know, well, we're going to get to it because there are ones where like, is it definitely, you know, I don't know.
Starting point is 00:25:47 All right, let's close the book on what's brewing presented by Wawa. That's what we saw. I mean, is there, honestly, is there anything else from this game to talk about before we get to the position by position of the roster? So I wrote down, we talked about McCaillemant already. Ringo with another nice PBO in the opening drive. I literally might just turn out just to find that, just to watch that pledge. We got like no replays in the broadcast tonight, like at all. So that was tough.
Starting point is 00:26:13 Tonight was a good, tonight was a good reminder of how myopically focused on the Eagles we are and how much. most of the things that we are talking about are happening elsewhere. So like, what's his name, Dante Myers, that wide receiver, you know, who looked really good and made a bunch of catches. Like, we're all excited about Darius Cooper. This guy's doing the same thing at this other camp. Now he's a little bit older. It's a slightly different story. But like, you know, that's happening.
Starting point is 00:26:42 We're so focused on our backup quarterback situation. Josh Johnson is their number three and he looks better than either of these two guys. you know all of these things are like that that that run by the third string running back at the end of the game that ross tucker was saying like just made a practice squad i think he's right like that was an insane run that was awesome um and you know we're we're talking about cars and steel hurtling over a guy like every they're going to make plays um starting offensive line for the eagles tonight was left to right john and jukew micha morris jake major's michael jordan fred johnson So Fred playing on the right side after having played on the left side in the other two preseason games was slightly interesting. Juku was a player who I thought had a little bit of helium early in camp, dealt with some injuries. My guess would be practice squad right now. And Micah Morris is probably the guy who, I mean, maybe the safest on the roster of those. Yeah, of that group, but yeah, I think it has looked good.
Starting point is 00:27:43 So two things. Damien Pierce, flashed early in camp. Got her. And then, you know, we haven't seen much. A couple good runs in the first half. Enough from like, okay, like maybe if they want to keep four backs, like, Pierce maybe has something. The other, the only other thing I noted was just Sean Manning being back in the booth,
Starting point is 00:28:05 not on the sideline. Yes, we should talk about that. Yeah. Yeah. That was the other thing I took note over. It's like, all right, like, this is something that, you know, that you can talk about. Maybe the most important thing that happened.
Starting point is 00:28:14 Yeah. Right. It's like, all right, I guess he liked. Maybe he liked how that felt last week. Yeah, good for him. It's done inside and outside the booth. Yeah, I think that's interesting. I would take that to me
Starting point is 00:28:31 that's where he's going to call games, don't you? Maybe. I don't know. It's interesting because as a recent backup quarterback who spends his time on the sideline, I was, you know, it would stand a reason that he might just feel more comfortable down there as opposed to up in the booth.
Starting point is 00:28:48 But also, like, if he had, hasn't had the experience up in the booth and be like, wow, it could be eye-opening to kind of see it from up there. So I can see it going either way. Yeah. Okay. Let's go to break. We'll come back in two minutes and start going position by position with our predictions for the 53-man roster. Everything you need to know.
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Starting point is 00:31:17 Now, the roster has to be set Sunday afternoon. believe 6 p.m. Eagles will start making moves tomorrow most likely they can be making trades they're going to start cutting some guys but the the beat writer competition knows bad boys are due tonight I believe by 5 a.m. 5 a.m. So Fran four quarterbacks Jalen Hertz will be on your roster will Tanner McKee be on your roster yes is that is that a Definite. 90 plus turkeys. I could see them trading
Starting point is 00:31:56 Tater McKee. I don't think that's crazy. Will Andy Dalton be on your roster? Yes. Really? Yeah. Interesting. You were not there last week.
Starting point is 00:32:13 No. Okay. I think it was just like how this is gone. The thing is, I mean, the truth is they can absolutely cut Andy Dalton and keep him around. I don't think that anybody is the Eagles are already guaranteeing him money.
Starting point is 00:32:28 So they can put him on the practice squad. I don't think anybody else is adding him. That would be fine. Yeah. They don't need his final roster. And then he's free to sign anywhere. Like that's the thing is that like it kind of works for him to. But is there some kind of other, you know, behind the scenes deal where it's like we're
Starting point is 00:32:47 guaranteeing him a roster spot? Is that part of it? Do they really think that they can't afford to lose him? And he's their actual QB2. I don't know what to do here. I think they could keep four. At the start of camp, I said I thought they were going to keep four. Seeing how badly this is all turned out, I think it would be kind of silly.
Starting point is 00:33:06 I think I think I'm going to not have Dalton on. Here's all I'm going to put it. When I did, I did my 53 before the game. So I've got, I literally have it sitting here in Penn. And then I had Dalton on the side where I was going to say like, yeah, like not, not on the team. And then during the game, I car. cross it out and put him over on the other side and I had them keep him four. By the time I submit this exercise, you know,
Starting point is 00:33:31 afterward on the show, I may talk, might go go back the other way. So I'm going back and forth between Hertz McKee and Peyton or having all four guys on. I can't. I'm like, yeah, I don't know.
Starting point is 00:33:43 But here's the other thing. Is Cole Payton definitely on a team? You know, I, you know, famously, for clarity him on the team after one day of practice. And I think that was right.
Starting point is 00:33:55 but I'm not so sure anymore. Don't you think if they wanted to develop this quarterback as their third quarterback, they would have tried to develop him over the summer? Yeah, and they, you know, no one has. Was this them, was this them not playing him to protect him from being claimed when they want to cut him? And then they can put him on the roster. Was this them hiding him?
Starting point is 00:34:19 But like, why would, why would you risk that if you like him? Right. Why would you risk that if you like him? if you're if it's no harm no foul and you're paying Dalton anyway just do that with Dalton right so that's why like I think Peyton is on but that's so stupid isn't it to hold a spot for this guy and then not allocate the reps to let him develop and they're making place that's why that's what I meant earlier when I said like you know when you talk about like their development team like they view their player development
Starting point is 00:34:50 department as a as an edge as an edge that they have over the other 31 teams And that's not necessarily about developing, like, in-game. It's like the stuff behind the scenes. So I think they're saying like, all right, like, yeah, he's not going to get the in-game reps that he needs because he didn't get that in college. So he's going to get that elsewhere. And they're hoping that that's, you know, what's going to come to fruition here. Right or wrong. Okay.
Starting point is 00:35:17 So right now I've got three. Reserve the right to change it in the next five hours. You've got four. So that's our one different. there. Also, running back. Also reserve the right to change.
Starting point is 00:35:28 Yes. Running back, we've got Sequin, Shipley, and Bigsby. I think we agree. I think there is a chance that Damien Pierce can make it. I actually think there's a better chance that Carson Steele could make it.
Starting point is 00:35:39 If they view him as the fullback and, you know, he has some special teams upside. If Steele was doing more on special teams and or we had seen like use cases of him at all at fullback, I would agree. but since we haven't seen it, I'll leave the light on for practice squad,
Starting point is 00:35:59 but I'm not, you know, bank on it. Okay. I'm sticking with three right now as well. Okay. Before we get to a wide receiver, let's do it, Fran, through the prism of the Ace Hardware Home Services Temperature Check. Shout out to our friends,
Starting point is 00:36:14 including Ed and Ace. Wide receiver, cut and dried, top four, you know. You've got Devante, Mackay Lemon, Tay Wicks and Darius Cooper. I think Holly Brown is pretty clearly on right now as well. Yep. That's five, given the guaranteeing money. You have just five?
Starting point is 00:36:35 I have just five. Okay. Right now, I actually have flipped on this. I have Elijah Moore on the roster. And I have been saying all summer that I don't think you need to keep him on the roster. He finished the season on the practice squad last year, all that stuff. This comes down to, to me, there are like five spots to play with at the bottom of the roster. Jalen has shown some comfort throwing to Elijah more.
Starting point is 00:36:59 It's a bit of a hedge on Mackay Lemon. I think he, on the merits of the summer, has earned a spot, more so than some of the other guys who we will talk about who are squarely on the bubble. I wish the problem here is that, like, of the six wide receivers, only one of them in Darius Cooper is offering special teams value. Yes. You would like, if you have six receivers for one of them to either be a returner or like a, special team in and that's not the case here so that's not ideal but that might change where
Starting point is 00:37:31 i where i make some decisions elsewhere remind me how many elevations do you get every week practice squad i believe you get two right that's what i thought it was two okay just making sure yeah um and then you only get we didn't talk we didn't talk about that would be elevated four times uh mckeye lemon getting the punt return rat yeah how about them just throwing him to the wolves there He's got to get hit three times. All right. And Bungles, like, what are they doing? Well, so let me ask you this.
Starting point is 00:38:02 Britton Covey. Yeah. So practice squad elevation, week one to be the punt returner, do what they've done with him in years past. That's kind of what I am expecting. Okay. All right. So just chalking that. That's why I ask.
Starting point is 00:38:16 We'll chalk that up. Yeah. It's like, you're marking that as one practice squad elevation. That's one. Okay. Yeah, right. That's how I have it right now as well. There aren't that many to play with.
Starting point is 00:38:26 No. Yeah, I don't know. Okay, so there's our, there's, that makes up for a quarterback difference right there. We get the tight end. And here's where, here's where I'm going to go out on a limb. Yep. I think Eli Stowers is starting the season on IR. On I are.
Starting point is 00:38:44 I know. I've been going back and forth here. Word is mum on that. Like, I'm trying to get any kind of like inkling and it's like, oh, like, I don't know. Yeah. I just, I don't know. They don't need him the first four weeks. Right?
Starting point is 00:39:04 I agree with that. I mean, there's no, it's not season ending. It's not like it used to be. No. I don't see any reason why they need to carry him on the roster for the first four weeks. I think, and then you'll let him designate. And this is where I, this is where I have Howie kind of going nuts. And this is a little bit of the game theory of maybe they're going to trade for somebody.
Starting point is 00:39:25 Yeah. I think right now I'm going to have. only Johnny Munt and Dallas got it on the roster. Okay. And because Grand Calcutera is injured. Right. Let's say you put between Calcutera, Kam Latu, E.J. Jenkins and Stone Smart.
Starting point is 00:39:42 You can put three of those guys in the practice squad and just play the elevation game with them if you're not adding somebody from the outside. I think that's probably too cute, but that's kind of how I have it leaning right now. where I had it going into the game tonight, Goddard Munt, Latu. Yeah, I have Lerner, with Stowers on injured reserve. So you had that as well?
Starting point is 00:40:10 I had that as well. Yeah. Okay. Lato is the lot to was the one that I might, I might move on because there. I'm waffling on the, I'm waffling on that Stowers decision because as you talked about, like, so the way I usually do it is I'm, I usually go position by position. all right, let me write and pen the guys I feel like good about. And then let me count the number that I'm at. And it's usually like 50, 51.
Starting point is 00:40:34 I think I got to like 46. Yeah, it's like 46. I totally agree. And I was like, oh, all right. So I don't go back through. And I'm like, all right, so I'm like, so stowers is one where I'm like,
Starting point is 00:40:43 all right, well, I guess if they didn't, if they wanted to, they could have them on. They don't need to shut them down for a month. Right. So, yeah, I don't know. That's another one that could change by the time I submit. That's true.
Starting point is 00:40:53 Like, is that worth more than, you know, Maximus Pully or whoever else is your 53rd guy. I think that's a good question. Okay. Offensive line. Starters, the starting five. Markel Bell. Now, I think we do have to keep an eye on this one because it's possible that that is more of a serious injury.
Starting point is 00:41:14 Then we're being led to believe. Drew Kendall, those guys are on. Willie Lampkin, I think we're both going to have on. Yes. That's eight. I have Micah Morris on. Yes. That's nine.
Starting point is 00:41:27 And I do have Fred Johnson on right now. And I think the Markell Bell injury is what makes me keep Fred Johnson on. Yes. In the short term. That's what I have as well. Okay. Now, I think a Juku could be a practice squad guy. I'm holding a little bit of space for if they think Miles Hinton or Cameron Williams is worth a roster spot.
Starting point is 00:41:49 That's not crazy. They did it last year. But right now I have those 10. Yeah. I have the same way. If Markell Bell was healthy, I would not have Fred Johnson on, but I think the known quantity of Fred Johnson, you know, allows him to be there as the swing tackle in week one. And because of the open slots at the bottom of the roster and you are already using a practice squad elevation on Covee, I don't need necessarily think they necessarily need to move on from Fred right now. So if you would ask me a week ago, I would have said no Fred.
Starting point is 00:42:24 and I don't think he has like earned a spot. Like I don't think he's been one of the 53 best players in camp. Right. But because of numbers, I think that he ends up on the initial 53. All right. Last one before we go to the defense. Are you having Rocco Underwood on?
Starting point is 00:42:39 Are you keeping three specialists? Or do you have them? This was another one where I initially had him off. But when I got to like 46 names, I'm like, no, I'm just going to keep him on. Me too. Because maybe I'll just use that. I don't want to waste one of his elevations elsewhere. because they can always just cut him in week two
Starting point is 00:42:55 and put him on the practice squad and then elevate him and then put him back on. Right. And there's other long snipers who are going to get cut. There are a couple teams who have two. And so if they like that guy better, they can just wave Underwood then, but I do have them holding him on the spot.
Starting point is 00:43:07 I have them on right now, I think, yeah. All right, let's close the book on the Ace Hardware Home Services. Temperature check. So I believe that means we both only have, oh, no, you've got LATU on. So you do have 25 on offense. I've only got 24. For now.
Starting point is 00:43:22 For now. Okay, let's take a break. We'll come back and talk defense on the other side, and I believe at some point, relatively soon, we'll be joined by the great E.J. Smith. Oh, the critters. We don't like those critters, do we? We don't like those pests.
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Starting point is 00:45:34 Back in the PHAWangos podcast, Bo and Fran. Let's go to the defensive side of the ball, our 53-man roster projections slash discussions. Edge, a couple interesting decisions here. No. Yep. Jalix, Nolan. Honestly, the only two definites. on this group because there is a chance that Jonathan Grenard,
Starting point is 00:45:57 they know is not ready, not close to ready. And they keep him on Pup, which would keep him off the roster for four weeks. We don't know the answer there. That would be a kick in the gut for people. I would imagine. I would imagine too. But not unrealistic.
Starting point is 00:46:15 No. I agree with that. I agree with their full evaluation. My sense is, Is that for the same reason we're talking about the bottom of the roster? It's not like you need some of those spots. There's like four or five spots to play with. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:46:31 That if there's any chance at all, he could be ready, even for game week four, they will keep him on the roster. That is my guess that he will make the 53. But I think this could be a surprise to people if he ends up on pup. Yeah, I would agree with that. What's your number? My number six. I have six.
Starting point is 00:46:52 Yeah. Yeah, I have Epinessa, Ebikati, and Wero all making a team. With Wero trying to challenge for the feeling. Yes. Yeah. I do. You know, I thought there was a minor little flash from James Newby tonight. I think he probably earned himself a practice squad spot after being injured most of the summer.
Starting point is 00:47:13 Some people like a Jose Ramirez. But I've got all six of those guys making it. Yep. That's, I love this. This one's cut and dry for me. outside of the Jonathan Grinard situation. Defensive tackle, a little bit less. I'm saying I'm less sure about defensive tackle than I am about Edge.
Starting point is 00:47:35 Right. We've got the top three guys, obviously, Carter, Davis, and O'GMO. Yeah. Ty Robinson, hard to imagine, hard to imagine what he's done in the games that he would not have made the team. Right. I think that that's unlikely. Byron Young, you know, ahead of his. him for most of the summer, but he's been injured.
Starting point is 00:47:56 There's no guarantee they're going to hold him, given that injury. I have, where I, but yeah, where for me with, with Byron Young is that he is a backup nose tackle. Like, and I don't think Ty, I don't think Ty Robinson gives you that. Like, I do think Ojamo could, you know, kick in there if you need them to. But, and O'R, obviously, is a huge project. So, you're not counting on. him there. I don't think that anyone else that they've got on the roster necessarily fits that.
Starting point is 00:48:27 So I think that that is the saving grace for Byron Young is that he offers them something that they don't really have elsewhere. So that's why I do have. And the way, so do I. And the way that Vic the other day talked about Ty Robinson as like he's still got to prove it against the good players. Obviously, in his mind, Byron Young has done that enough to have been on the field last year. So I would, I do think that he will make it. And then, finally, Finally, do you have who are on? I have them on right now. There's plenty of room for them.
Starting point is 00:48:58 I think you keep those guys. But is it? I have them on right now, too. Rock solid in Penn and Sharpie? No, but I have them on. Okay, so we've got 12 defensive linemen between the two of us. Cheris, Nick and sit up a little bit. Linebacker, another one that's very interesting.
Starting point is 00:49:16 Zach Bond and Trotter and Jihad, all on. That's three. Smile, I imagine you have on. Not my initial run through. Really? Yeah, I had Chance Campbell on my initial run through. And not Smile Mondin. And not Smile, but because of the numbers, that's a guy that I think, like, potentially
Starting point is 00:49:38 could be up. I have Smile and Chance Campbell on. And I came very close to having Deonté Lawson on also as the 53rd guy, six linebackers. Maybe that's how you make up for only having two tight ends in terms of the special team's body. Fresh team time, yeah. And just because I think he did a little bit more than my decision at the end was like him or Maximus Pully or a third tight end. And I thought he did enough. He forced to fumble time.
Starting point is 00:50:09 It was called back for an injury. I don't think those, the plays tonight will actually matter quite as much. Right. But I thought he put enough on tape that it might be worth keeping him around. Yeah. So it would be funny for them to keep six linebackers, but I just, this is one where I was, I was, I was, just evaluating the players instead of the position numbers? Sure.
Starting point is 00:50:30 Yeah, this one, I just, I feel, I like Chance Campbell's odds here. So I was just on the fence on smile, but I'm going to have, I think I will end up having smile on. Okay. Corner. Rik, Quinyon, Cooper, Dijin. Do you have Keely Ringo on? Yes.
Starting point is 00:50:53 I feel very good about Ringo. made on. Do you have Mac Mac Williams on? For now I do. Another by TV tape didn't seem like at a great night tonight. Right. I have him on right now as well.
Starting point is 00:51:10 Do you have Jones on? I don't have Jonathan Jones on. He hasn't played. He hasn't played. Who's going to, he's a vested veteran, so he doesn't go through waivers. I think it's very normal to tell him
Starting point is 00:51:24 come on the practice squad get healthy when you're healthy we'll you know we'll bring up yeah yeah yeah that's count it's kind of how i feel about that one yeah i he he and uh like smile are like for one spot for me okay that's like one that's like 52nd 53rd guy on the roster right now okay uh let's close that safety and then we're gonna get to ej because he's he's there waiting so then you've got macuba epps and carter yep do you have a fourth nope no no no Okay. I think I right now I have Pulley as the 53rd guy, but I again reserve the right to move that one around. Pulley was the personal protector and punt, but I don't know. Maybe Cole Payton is that now. Yeah, had that mistackle on the sweet run by the Bengals got the. All right, let's get to the Xfinity Mobile call-in line straight to Lincoln's financial field for our man.
Starting point is 00:52:20 Look at him. Handsome E. Jay Smith, the Eagles insider. How you doing, my name? friend doing well i got to warn you it's windy here so i've had to catch the tripod a few times and they told me that they're bringing a concert floor out to the stadium i don't know you know what i think bruno no who is it is it bruno mars i think it's bruno mars yeah it's gonna be a good show anyway i'm doing well i got my notebook here i got plenty to tell you guys from the locker room and some thoughts about the 53 overall so i'm excited about the lockerers have at it all right so we heard from mackay levin first and foremost i think this is probably the newsiest thing that'll come out of this. So heard from Mackay Lemon. And I commend him for being at his locker,
Starting point is 00:52:59 ready to talk, literally the second locker room open. I think that is a good sign as we get to know McKay Lemon. And he didn't really pull any punches on the performance. You know, he said it was a drop. You know, on the interception, the pass from Terry McKee, I know that there was some discussion about being a little high, maybe a little bit behind him, but he said, it went through my hands. It was a drop. I got to catch it. Took accountability for that. Took accountability for the pump return. And overall, I think he said it wasn't a performance that he was happy with, but he said he said he's a perfectionist and said that he was unhappy with the performance. But he said he's glad it happened now in the preseason when he's knocking the rust off. And I got to tell you guys, before the game, pretty much exactly where I'm standing, I watch Cooper de Gene sign autographs before the game.
Starting point is 00:53:44 And I'm not going to sit here and say like, oh, Cooper de Jim turned out fine. So who cares about the fact that McKay Lemon didn't look great tonight? But I do think it is a useful indicator or useful illustration of these preseason games for a guy coming off of an injury, first NFL action, sometimes they don't look great. At the very least, you shouldn't draw conclusions. Because, you know, I remember watching Cooper to Gene against the Vikings in a preseason finale. And he struggled mightily in that game. You know, and I would not have imagined that he would have had a big role. And obviously it took him some time to step into that role.
Starting point is 00:54:15 So I don't think you should overreact to the way that McCoy Lemon looked tonight. but yeah, he wasn't happy with his performance. I don't think anybody was happy with it. So that was the first thing. We heard from Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton. I'm going to be honest with you guys. Both of them are very careful with everything that they say. So like there's not a lot of quotes that I'm going to pull and be like,
Starting point is 00:54:33 you know, Tanner McKee says he still has confidence in, you know, and how things are looking in his mastery of the offense. Like they said all the right things. I thought it was noteworthy that Andy Dalton was a little bit more noncommittal when, you know, discussing what the next 48 hours looked for him, like for him and what he's expecting. You know, if he feels good going into the into cutdown day, he kind of said, you know, we'll see what happens. There's a lot of things that can happen. With Tanner McKee, it was a little bit more like, you know, I'm excited. I feel good. I feel good
Starting point is 00:55:02 about the way, I feel good going into the cut down day. You know, read into that, however you will. I'll be honest with you guys, I have no idea what to do a quarterback with my 53 man roster. I think it is a very, very complicated. I called it a peculiar quarterback two competition. It's awkward. It's an uncomfortable one. And honestly, yeah, to me, and you can read this on all p-h-o-i.com, it's a, I got, oh, look at this. Look at this graphic from Lindsay. Lindsay. I knew I was trying to tee it up.
Starting point is 00:55:37 Shout out Lindsay. So, yeah, all-P-H-L-I.com. You can, again, read about the peculiar QB-2 battle. I was going to call it the final chapter, but I had to go with the next chapter. because this bad boy is not ending. You thought it was going to be so easy. So, yeah, to me, I think that they might keep all four. I don't feel good about it.
Starting point is 00:56:00 But I think that, have you guys already gamed this out, the quarterback, too, of it all? Well, we've talked about it, but, like, I don't know what they're going to do either. All I know is that they've messed it up. Yes, I agree. Completely agree. There was, I won't name the reporter, but there was a reporter who, asked the question to Nick and said, why didn't Cole Payton play tonight? And I turned to them and said, he played in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. And honestly, I don't blame that person
Starting point is 00:56:27 for asking that question because we barely see Paul Payton in the last two weeks, which I think is, I mean, I think it might be a little bit strong to say unfair to him, but I actually do think it's been unfair to him. He has earned reps in this game. You know, he has earned reps in the preseason. He's looked good enough. This isn't a Clayton Thorson situation. You know, he is a guy who you can trust to run the offense. He might throw an interception, but guess what? Tanner McKee threw an interception. I think the fact that he didn't get those developmental reps in this game, I think it's an unfair thing that he's been planted into here where there's kind of like this, this, it's what makes Howie Rosen good at his job, but it's also like this like, you know, jockeying
Starting point is 00:57:05 for like a seventh round pick for a quarterback that you traded for, you know, back in March. So I don't know. I think that the quarterback situation has reached a point where I, anything could happen on Sunday or before that. Anything could happen, period. I have no idea. Yeah. E.J., you will relisten to the beginning of the show, but I totally agree with you.
Starting point is 00:57:29 I think they have done a disservice to all three of those guys, the way that they've handled. Yeah, and I think you can tell from listening to them talk. Like after every game, you can feel that like awkwardness, you know? Like that just, they're so worried about saying the wrong thing because I don't think any of them are happy with the situation they find themselves. What's so annoying about it is how, like, head down. They have been about it.
Starting point is 00:57:56 In the first week of preseason, Dalton and McKee are talking about their press conferences. Like, this is awkward. We don't like this. You could, they have been so stubborn and obstinate about it, like, oh, we're going to stick to this plan, even if it's bad for everybody. And for them to carry it through into the third preseason game tonight like this is, like, bizarre. and self-defeating and like I either it's it sucks
Starting point is 00:58:24 it's bad yeah I mean it's again it's like a hallier-raiser character trait though Tanner McKee I wrote this in the story on our website it was 386 days ago that they had the preseason opener against the Bengals and Tanner McKee was 20 for 255
Starting point is 00:58:41 for 252 yards and 32 touchdown passes in that game and the conversation not just like among you know speculators real, like, journalists who cover this team were wondering, would the Eagles take a third round pick for Tanner McKee right now? And the answer was probably not, you know, probably not, especially because they thought, we thought his value would continue to ascend. To see him tonight be like a shell of that former self, it was very surprising. And it really shows you how much he struggled in the last, you know, 12 months. So, yeah, it's been 300 and however many days.
Starting point is 00:59:14 It's also been 59 minutes since this episode started. That means it's time. get to EJ time. No. Jumped. No O.T for games, it turns out. There's no time. We did this last week too.
Starting point is 00:59:34 Didn't we did this last week? She said. Shout out Lindsay. It's always Lindsay time. That was your mistake. All right, other things from the locker room. Let's see here. We heard from UR. Bernard and Joshua Ware.
Starting point is 00:59:49 No, overtime is what I should have said. No, for time. I like that. O'R. Bernard talked about his first game experience, being overwhelmed by the crowd. His first home game. His first home game. But he said that tonight, he felt like the energy from the crowd and, you know,
Starting point is 01:00:07 felt more confident. And that was the thing that stood out. You know, it's a this three-week journey that he's been on. It feels crazy to say it's been three weeks. But for him, I think what stands out is just how much more comfortable he is on the field, how much more comfortable he is playing football, which, you know, is to be expected. But I think, again, it happening that quickly. for him was exciting.
Starting point is 01:00:25 And it was funny because this was the one time we saw Howie Roseman in the locker room. He walks in and he's making a quick out. He's only in there for like 15 seconds. But he walks in and he's curious, like who are all these reporters talking to and appears in and sees O'R. And it's probably like for him, it's like, oh yeah, that makes sense.
Starting point is 01:00:44 So yeah, that was the one Howie Roseman cameo we got was like looking in on O'R's press conference. Joshua Warew said he's got his family in town. They're leaving on Sunday. So maybe they'll send him. Are you worried about it? I'm nervous, yeah. I'm not nervous.
Starting point is 01:01:03 He's on the team. He is on the team. But yeah, he said that he doesn't have a lot of plans of it and spending time with family. And, you know, maybe they'll be sent home with good news. So we'll see. Did you guys see who are breaking the team down pregame?
Starting point is 01:01:17 Yeah, he talked about that. Yeah, he's done it a couple of times, actually. Nick Siriani said that there was a practice, where Uar broke the team down. We were not there for that. I think we would have noticed it. But yeah, he must be an energy giver out there. So, yeah, you know, you see it.
Starting point is 01:01:31 Even when Joshua was talking, you know, Keishan James Nubi is like hanging around the periphery of the press conference, trying to make him laugh and, you know, just like trying to encourage him. These guys, like, are really invested in their stories. You know, they, I think, you know, O'R talked about people taking inspiration from his story and how much that means to him. I think it has been, it's been cool to watch the last couple of weeks. the impact that they've had on honestly everybody around them.
Starting point is 01:01:57 We have a super chat from Tizi Trez, who says, is Stowers further behind where you thought he'd be by the end of the preseason? Or exactly where you thought. I'm not panicking. Just curious what draft guys think and is Stowers upside versus tight ends picked after him 100% worth the risk? Fran? All right.
Starting point is 01:02:20 So is Stowers further behind than where he thought I'd be? No, this is about where I thought he would be, personally. He's further behind him. Really? I thought he would be. Yes, I would agree with that. So about where I was concerned about. Is his upside versus tight ends were picked after him 100% worth the risk? I would say no.
Starting point is 01:02:41 Yeah, I think that especially, and not to beat a dead horse, but we've talked about it, like the way that these guys at that position are trying to get weaponized right now. that skill set is harder to incorporate into the offense in my opinion. Like you got to do a little bit more. You have to be a little bit more creative when you have that kind of like finesse skill set at the position. So we'll see. It's tough when you have Bichai Lemon too, who also requires some of that creativity,
Starting point is 01:03:12 which, you know, this is in a revisionist history. It's something that I said, I think we all said it probably after they drafted the last hours, is that you kind of have these two players that require a lot of creativity. to feature. I mean, I'm sure you guys talked about Mackay, but I thought this was like a really emblematic McKay Lemon experience tonight where it's like, you know, a lot of the underneath stuff, a lot of like find the soft spot in his own coverage. But if you're going to ask him to separate against Pressman, like that's not something that you can consistently rely on with him right now. And that doesn't mean he's a bad player. But yeah, you have to have a specific use case for both
Starting point is 01:03:44 of those guys. And I think that, you know, especially with both of the missing time now, it has been hard for them to really carve that out. Yeah, I think we've talked about it. My disappointment with Stowers this summer has been that he has seemed behind than I thought he would look as a receiver in terms of looking like he has some specialness athletically, whether that's speed or in and out of breaks or going up to get a ball. We just haven't really seen that. And he's dealing with the injury.
Starting point is 01:04:14 So E.J., are you going to have Eli Stowers on your 53 or are you going to have him on IR? It's a great question. And I think he's probably on a timeline that would mean that he doesn't need to go on IR. I think he will be healthy before, once a four week cutoff where you have to miss at least four games if you're on IR to start the regular season. So if they do it, I think it is probably to like just give him a minute to reset, you know, after the training camp that he had. I'll probably have him on though. I won't feel good about it, but I'll have them. Okay.
Starting point is 01:04:49 What are the other decisions that are going to keep you up for the next? I believe the rosters are due in four and a half hours. That's a great question. By the way, it's tough. You're getting my undivided attention, but there are some sick lawnmowers all around me right now. And, you know, I'm a fan of that crap. So some great lawnmowers. These decisions that are keeping up tonight, we already talked about quarterback.
Starting point is 01:05:11 Go ahead. You go first. We already talked about quarterback. To me, it's really less about a specific. position group like you know the last linebacker spot's going to be hard um i don't think elyan i actually won't lose much sleep over that one uh cam lot to is somebody that i'm not really sure what to do with i kind of think that there's a tight end to be named later that might take that spot um but generally speaking it's it's almost every position the last guy at that position
Starting point is 01:05:40 that's going to be hard because of the fact that like there are about 45 players on this roster I think everybody will get. You know, I think, you know, there are some years where the 53-man roster competition, you know, the one that I won two years in a row, that, like, there are years where we get 51 guys. Everybody gets 51 right. You know, there are years where 49. I think this might be a year where the number is lower because once you get to the bottom there, like, once you get to 45, I would say, like, those last six, seven or eight,
Starting point is 01:06:13 no matter how you get, like, good sense on how many we all get right, those last guys, a lot of them don't have to be on the 53. You can probably seek them through to the practice squad. I heard your argument for Josh, not Josh Johnson, Jonathan Jones. I think that's like he's the type of player. Fred Johnson is the type of player where it's like, I think they could probably get those guys to the practice squad. Will they? Is a different question. So yeah, I just think that the bottom of the roster guys are really going to be hard to figure out this year. Yeah, Fred Johnson is the one I keep going back to though. I just really struggle with it without knowing how long Mark Hill, is going to be out especially.
Starting point is 01:06:49 If he told me Bell's healthy for week one, I wouldn't have Fred on. I'd say they probably could sink him through, not seeking through, put him on the practice squad. I don't know if he really has a leg to stand on to object against something like that. So he's a tricky one, but I think Bell being injured right now probably means that he's off. Yeah, that's where we landed as well. You know, I was going to defend you, but then you pulled that stunt about bragging about the roster. So maybe I won't.
Starting point is 01:07:19 You don't have to. Listen, I'm going to abide by the rules that are laid out. So here's the deal, Fran, in the roster prediction, Olivia sends out the rules and said that you are not a new rule. You're not allowed to have a person on the 53 and your practice squad projection. Right. Which that's against the possibility of getting it perfect because that happens all the time. A guy makes the initial 53 and then they cut him and he's on the initial. initial practice squad.
Starting point is 01:07:51 Oh, Fran, Fran thinks it's fine. I'm not emotional. What's that? You want to leave. You want this show to be over. This Youngstown State film is not going to watch itself. All right, E.J., before we let you go,
Starting point is 01:08:09 we do have something to play for you, which did not make it into the Ospreys because it came a little bit late, but it applies to you nonetheless. us. Ooh. What's going on? It's yours truly.
Starting point is 01:08:22 Your boy, Perrinickson here. And I just want to wish my boy, E.J., a happy 32nd birthday. Now, it's crazy because my
Starting point is 01:08:32 32nd birthday is coming up in October, man. So have a happiest 32nd birthday, my brother. And also, you know,
Starting point is 01:08:41 I know you become a father for the first time. I just want to tell you, man, it is a blessing, bro. It is a blessing, man. Now, I had a little debate question about which Eagle player had the best season on the 2025, you know, Eagles defense.
Starting point is 01:08:59 In my opinion, it's tough, you know. I was there, and I witnessed greatness all around, man. I would say on the defensive side, I had to give it to my boy Jordan, Dave, man. And he, he, that boy bawled out. And he, he deserves everything that came to him and everything in the future that will come to him. So, E.J. Brow, have a great birthday. And, man, have a great fatherhood as well, my brother. That was great.
Starting point is 01:09:33 I, when he said, when he said, I was there, I thought he was about to say, you know, I'm going to have to go with me. I'm going to have to take Perry Nickerson in this competition. I would have respect to that. know what he was there when you when your child was conceived. I did I do not think he was there for that. If he was there, that's news to me. That was great job. The fact that he did it mid-yard work because the shed was open behind him.
Starting point is 01:10:00 Respect, respect. Fantastic. Get a look at these bad boys. Look at those. Oh, yeah. All right. Take it easy. The other thing I have to show you, E.J.
Starting point is 01:10:11 is where I'm giving away the, not giving away, I'm auctioning off the shirt. that were not used at the Ospreys. And I actually don't know if you saw this shirt yet. Oh, no. What is it saying? I don't even want it says. I fell except the I as a J. You'll find a way to make that inappropriate.
Starting point is 01:10:40 Well, I mean, it could have been worse. It could have been a lot more inappropriate. Yes, it could have been worse. But don't send that one. to me. Send that one to the one of the sickos. Now, once again, email me at bow at p.hly.com if you are interested in any of the 11 shirts that are up for auction. Speaking of the Ospreys, I'm disappointed you shave the mustache. I really like the mustache. No, I talked again, talked about this earlier. That's one night only. That's for the sickos at the Ospreys. Nobody else gets to enjoy it. That's only for the people who paid the admission.
Starting point is 01:11:15 Man's got to have a code. I respect it. Got to have a code. But yeah, what a fun time. And I will just say, what a lovely evening that was even after the fact, just getting to talk to all the people who came had very nice things to say about the, you know, the honest role we play in their lives, which is a thing that we can forget about. Great to talk. Just have some human conversations with people, put faces to names.
Starting point is 01:11:43 It was a lot of fun. You know what? And hearing like how people came to the. show like the guy i believe jay who has been a big devon fan and then devon put him on to our show and he's been a fan ever since yeah that's those stories yeah all that stuff was was was really heartwarming so thank you once again to everybody who came out absolutely 100 percent it was awesome uh getting to spend time beforehand with uh with people afterwards it was it was great and and i mean that that second bowling game fran we got to talk about first bowling game now i didn't
Starting point is 01:12:15 I wasn't there for the first like, I think four frames, but I did then, I felt like I stepped in and did deserve to win that game. I did, I bid bowl pretty well. Well, here's the thing is that, yeah, you, we brought, we had a few people pinch it for you for the first. So you had like a couple of breaks. I had a little bit of a lead, but I did, but I, but I didn't, I didn't, I, you know, I extended the lead, I believe. I felt good. I feel like I didn't feel like that was stolen valor on that win. And then the second one, Fran comes out just a house of fire.
Starting point is 01:12:44 one of the most impressive roles I've ever seen. And then I was making, I was bowling very well, too. You were right on my tail. You took me down 159 to 157. Yeah. And you dealt with a lot. You dealt with some hardships on that one.
Starting point is 01:13:00 He had a couple, I believe, two different times where the pin wasn't there. Three different times. The front pin. They didn't put every pin down. But, you know, look, we power through. What is it? High level.
Starting point is 01:13:11 Pressure is a privilege. So, you know. Yeah. The two of us, actually, honestly, the two of us had some very impressive spare pickups on some difficult, nicely done by the both of us. Yeah. Agreed. It was a good. It was a well-played game. Anything left from you, E.J.? I don't think so.
Starting point is 01:13:34 No, I am about to. And the show. I am about to brainstorm what I'm about to say about the Eagles quarterback competition for my Instagram. E.J. Smith reports on Instagram, trying to get to 3,000 followers. can help me out. That's, that's all I got. That's all that's the last plug for B for that for the night. Check out all p.hly.com for EJ's latest written word. What, what you look like you have something to say, Fran? Uh, Edmundo Sosa. Pinch hit grand slam. That's a handsome guy right there. handsome guy at Mendo Sosa. It's my type of guy.
Starting point is 01:14:05 Down three nothing. It puts them up four three. Wow. Don't you guys agree? Edmundo Sosa, I mean, what a good looking guy. You're a good looking good looking guy. Sure. Super handsome. Don't D'Amico. Yeah, I think we will get to, you know, we'll get to some full season previews this week. All that fun stuff.
Starting point is 01:14:27 We'll have our around the flu world, no, spread your wins and fly draft, the NFL over-unders, that good stuff. But I will tell you, I'm going to have to adjust my Eagles projections low based on the goatee for Jalen. That's a win, at least one win right there. And then I got to tell you, nothing necessarily illegal or untoward.
Starting point is 01:14:52 But I heard some distressing things about Johnny Munt after the Ospreys the other night that are also going to make me turn my wind projections down. So it could be if the preseason is any indication, it could be an 0-17 season. This is like classic birds with friends. It's like the show's never going to end. All right, that's all we got. Thank you to Lindsay for staying up late. Thank you to E.J. Thank you to friend.
Starting point is 01:15:23 We will be with you. We have a show Sunday evening reacting to the 53 men rosters. We will be live, the three of us. Check out all p.chly.com for E.J's latest writing. We'll talk to a Sunday night. Let us know in the comments. You know what? Let's do a little.
Starting point is 01:15:39 If you want to put a 53-man projection in the comments, we'll send a little something to whoever has the best one. If you've stayed this long. No, no, these are high-priced items. baby. We will talk to you Sunday night. And as always, we love you.

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