Starters to go a half or more, Cole to start at RG

[Leonard Tose]

That's what Big Red announced today -- then he walked out when the reporters started pressing him on his son.

A little bit surprising about Nick Cole starting at RG, especially since I saw a few stories where the Eagles were pleased with MJG's performance last week.

[stevemc]

Re: Starters to go a half or more, Cole to start at RG

I'm perplexed at the Nick Cole start. I think they like Cole alot but he isn't on the depth chart at either guard spot. Plus Young and Jean Gilles have supposedly been ahead of him so why not start the 1st unit with the player most likely to be playing there outside of Andrews? Head scratcher for me. I thought Cole was actually in danger of being cut.

[Leonard Tose]

Re: Starters to go a half or more, Cole to start at RG

I'm perplexed at the Nick Cole start. I think they like Cole alot but he isn't on the depth chart at either guard spot. Plus Young and Jean Gilles have supposedly been ahead of him so why not start the 1st unit with the player most likely to be playing there outside of Andrews? Head scratcher for me. I thought Cole was actually in danger of being cut.

some coaches like to approach preseason where they give different guys vying for one spot a game with the starters, see how they do. i suppose last week was MJG's audition and this week is Cole's. I think they know what they have in Scott Young.

i think mccoy is in bigger danger of being cut than Cole. if Cole shows something against Pittsburgh, coaches might feel fine with Justice as the swing tackle -- he was getting some work in at RT last week, and no fourth tackle. the fourth tackle would essentially be herremans.

here is a reuben frank short story from earlier this week about MJG:

By REUBEN FRANK
phillyBurbs.com

Max Jean-Gilles hated last year. Oh, he was happy he made the Eagles' roster and earned $750,000, including his $475,000 signing bonus.

Yet something was missing.

The chance to play football.

Jean-Gilles, a fourth-round pick a year ago, was inactive for all 18 games last year. He was one of three rookie linemen who didn't play a snap, along with Pat McCoy and Winston Justice.

“It was kind of hard,” Jean-Gilles said. “Game day, I'm a fan, watching the game on the sidelines. I didn't feel like I was part of the team at all. It was a rough experience, but that's football. You just try to learn as much as you can.”

Jean-Gilles tried to put all those lessons to work Friday night, when he started at right guard in the Eagles' 27-10 preseason win over the Panthers at the Linc.

Jean-Gilles started in place of Shawn Andrews, who is battling a high ankle sprain and whose status remains a mystery. Scott Young started in the preseason opener in Baltimore and played fairly well, but Young missed this game for personal reasons, so Jean-Gilles had a great opportunity to get a lot of snaps.

A lot of rare snaps.

“I think it went pretty well,” he said. “I had some boo-boos, but overall I think I did well.”

So did his coaches.

Although the Eagles like Young and maintain that he played well after replacing an injured Andrews in the Saints playoff game — despite a costly penalty — it seems they want Jean-Gilles to be the top backup guard.

Jean-Gilles, despite losing 20 pounds during the offseason, is just a huge man at 335 pounds, and he appeared to hold his own Friday against Panthers defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu.

“Max did a solid job,” Reid said.

Reid said the backup guard competition also includes Nick Cole, who made the team last year as a backup center.

Young has the most experience, Cole is the most versatile and Jean-Gilles has the best raw tools.

“I think it's important that we get to know those three guys and what they can do at the guard position,” Reid said. “That helps you with your game-day roster. You have to look down the road at your game-day roster and who you think might be active, who you think might not be active, and so on.''

[NoDakIggle]

Re: Starters to go a half or more, Cole to start at RG

Young has the most experience, Cole is the most versatile and Jean-Gilles has the best raw tools.
“I think it's important that we get to know those three guys and what they can do at the guard position,” Reid said. “That helps you with your game-day roster. You have to look down the road at your game-day roster and who you think might be active, who you think might not be active, and so on.''

I think this is a telling part. MJG didn't get game day time last year and may not this year because Young and Cole have versatility (If Cole shows that on Sun). Gotta have that flexibility in changing game day rosters for injuries, specialty players, etc.

[Flying Dutchman]

Re: Starters to go a half or more, Cole to start at RG

Young has the most experience, Cole is the most versatile and Jean-Gilles has the best raw tools.
“I think it's important that we get to know those three guys and what they can do at the guard position,” Reid said. “That helps you with your game-day roster. You have to look down the road at your game-day roster and who you think might be active, who you think might not be active, and so on.''

I think this is a telling part. MJG didn't get game day time last year and may not this year because Young and Cole have versatility (If Cole shows that on Sun). Gotta have that flexibility in changing game day rosters for injuries, specialty players, etc.

Good point NoDak. Young is actually the strongest of the three despite being only 312 or so. However he has by far the best athleticism, quickness and experience. He has also been getting some work at C to increase his potential in the same way that Cole is now getting work at G which he played back in college. There is no way in hell that MJG doesn't make the team this year. There is a question of whether or not he gets activated. IMO it does seem that this years activation list will include Justice and Young +?.

[balto-eaglefan]

Re: Starters to go a half or more, Cole to start at RG

Shawn Andrews is out of that walking boot, good to read that.