The Eagles weren?t planning to release their final cuts until tomorrow, so it was a surprise when a list of 22 players - including Dirk Johnson and Jeremy Bloom - was posted on the team?s web site mid-afternoon today. It was more of a surprise when the list - and several message board threads devoted to the cuts were deleted from the official web site just 10 minutes later.
A team spokesman said the cuts were released by mistake and this is not the actual list of players who will be released tomorrow.
But when contacted, Johnson confirmed that he got a call from head coach Andy Reid informing him that the Eagles are releasing him and keeping untested rookie Sav Rocca instead.
?In my mind, they had their minds made up before that (Jets) game,? Johnson said. ?What did that game prove? If it came down to that game, I?d still be here. If it didn?t, they should have cut me last week, while two teams (Cards and Patriots) were still looking for punters.?
May 2007 - Philadelphia Eagles Wiretap
Rocca To Learn NFL Fate In Next 48 Hours
Saverio Rocca's boot didn't let him down in his final NFL audition - although his hands might have.
The former AFL star will learn in the next 48 hours whether he has won the punting job at the Philadelphia Eagles.
But Rocca admits a botched field goal attempt - when he was acting as holder and bobbled the ball - in the Eagles' final pre-season clash against the New York Jets in Philadelphia may come back to haunt him.
"It might well come down to that (who is the better holder)," Rocca told reporters after the first quarter mishap which ended with him throwing a desperate incomplete pass.
"They are going to base their decision on a lot of things.
"I'm sure that will be one of the key factors. As I have said before, we can only wait and see."
The Australian again shared punting duties with incumbent Dirk Johnson in the 13-11 loss, with both performing well - Rocca averaged 38.3 yards per kick, including two inside 20s, while Johnson finished with an average of 49.5 yards.
Feeley Breaks Hand In Eagles' Loss To Jets
The starters watched from the sidelines and the backups barely did anything to warrant more playing time.
In a game decided by third-stringers and guys who'll be looking for jobs in a few days, Mike Nugent kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Jets over the Eagles 13-11 on Thursday night.
Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Chad Pennington didn't play and most starters for both teams sat out. A.J. Feeley, McNabb's backup, broke a bone in his left hand, but whether he will miss any action is uncertain.
Britt Reid Faces New Drug, DUI Charges
A son of Eagles coach Andy Reid was charged Wednesday with driving under the influence and drug violations while still awaiting sentencing for a separate road-rage incident earlier this year.
Britt Reid, 22, of Villanova, was jailed last week for violating the terms of his bail after police said they found 33 pills, including the painkiller hydrocodone, on him during a traffic stop in Plymouth Township.
Donovan: Westbrook Could Rush For 2,000 Yards
Donovan McNabb has grandiose visions of what the future might hold for Brian Westbrook. "I could see him as a 2,000-yard rusher," he said. "I also see him as a guy who could probably have about 2,500 to 2,700 yards of total offense."
Trading Holcomb Appears Likely For Eagles
Barring injury to one of the Eagles' other three quarterbacks, Kelly Holcomb is probably spending his final days in Philadelphia.
According to a league source, as many as four teams have contacted the Eagles about acquiring Holcomb, and the team intends to move him this week as long as Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley and rookie Kevin Kolb got through last night's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers healthy.
Two of the teams involved in talks with the Eagles are the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles are hoping to get at least a sixth-round pick in return for Holcomb, but they may have to settle for a seventh-round selection.
Big Ben Shakes Off Mistakes
Ben Roethlisberger liked almost nothing about his one half of play. The 247 yards passing, the three consecutive scoring drives, the big shift in momentum didn't impress him at all.
Roethlisberger, effective for only one drive previously in this preseason, had a big half statistically even though he was disappointed by it and the Steelers shook off numerous mistakes to defeat the Eagles 27-13 Sunday night.
Police Stop Britt Reid For Suspected DUI In Parking Lot
An adult son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, awaiting sentencing in a road-rage case, was detained Thursday on suspicion of driving while impaired.
Britt Reid, 22, of Villanova, failed a sobriety test in a store parking lot at about 3:45 p.m. and was given a blood test, Assistant Police Chief Joseph Lawrence of Plymouth Township said.
McNabb Stunned After Trotter's Departure
The answers given to Donovan McNabb regarding why Jeremiah Trotter was cut were unsatisfying and unsatisfactory.
Just why did the Eagles shed one of their veteran leaders, Trotter, on Tuesday morning, mere weeks before the season begins? Why was the four-time Pro Bowler, and one of the only linebackers on the roster with meaningful starting experience, cut when the Eagles supposedly are trying to make a Super Bowl run? Why couldn't some sort of arrangement - a pay cut, a backup role, something - have been negotiated?
"I'm shocked," McNabb said. "I'm truly shocked."
Eagles Release Trotter
Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was released by the Eagles on Tuesday, a surprising end to the Pro Bowl player's second stint with Philadelphia.
Coach Andy Reid informed Trotter of his decision Monday night during an emotional meeting. Trotter was a fan favorite because of his intensity, big hits and candor